Boxing: Warren brokers Watson 'testimonial'

Michael Watson was back at the centre of a boxing press conference for the first time in over 10 years yesterday when he sat next to Frank Warren to officially announce his testimonial night at Grosvenor House on 8 July.

Watson's last fight was in September 1991, when he was stopped in the 12th round by Chris Eubank and after that fight he required emergency brain surgery to remove a blood clot. He survived and brought a successful law suit against the British Boxing Board of Control and the testimonial, which Warren was able to broker, will help raise some much needed extra money.

"I was overwhelmed when I was told about this event," said Watson, who is now 37 and still requires constant care. "Fighters need support throughout their careers and especially when it is all over for them because that is when their world can start to fall apart. I know that."

Warren, who never promoted Watson but wished he had, hopes to sell 70 tables at a minimum of £1,000 per table and has personally pledged to pay the wages for all the fights on the bill. Many others in the boxing business will work for nothing on the night.

"This is all about Michael and it is long overdue recognition for what he achieved in the ring and more importantly for what he has achieved since that fateful night," said Warren, who warned he was willing to embarrass people in the boxing business who have benefited from Watson and other stricken fighters but have not yet purchased tables.

* The American official Eddie Cotton has been confirmed as the referee for Lennox Lewis's eagerly anticipated heavyweight meeting with Mike Tyson at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis on 8 June. During his own career in the ring, Cotton won 58 bouts and twice challenged for the world light-heavyweight title in 1961 and 1966.