Express & Star

Michael Watson: I don't miss boxing, it misses me

Michael Watson today took a swipe at cushy boxers and insisted: "There's no hunger."

Published

The former British and Commonwealth champion believes the new generation of fighters earn too much cash.

Watson, who suffered a near-fatal blood clot on the brain in a fight with Chris Eubank in 1991, wants to be a mentor to modern-day boxers but believes current star fighters do not work hard enough.

He said: "Boxing is too watered down. There's too much money involved – there's no hunger.

"There's too much money, fighters don't have to train any more and yet end up as world champion.

"How can you have three world champions in the same weight? There can only be one world champion. I don't miss boxing – boxing misses me."

The 48-year-old spent almost a year in intensive care after falling into a coma following his super-middleweight title bout with Eubank 22 years ago.

He did not walk for six years and is now devoting himself to charity work and keeping kids off the streets, away from gun and knife crime.

He added: "You have to be there by their side, to let them know they are someone. They can make it to the top if only they try."

For the full interview, see your Weekend Express & Star

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