Michael Watson, also known by his moniker ‘The Force’, enjoyed a hugely successful boxing career in the 1980s and early 1990s, earning British Commonwealth middleweight title and winning won twenty-five out of his thirty fights. His illustrious career was tragically cut short after receiving near-fatal brain injuries during his fight with Chris Eubank for the super-middleweight title in 1991.
After this fateful fight, Michael spent forty days in a coma, remained in intensive care for a year undergoing six brain operations and a further six years in a wheelchair. He also faced momentous task of having to regain the ability to read and write. Not to be one to accept defeat, Michael’s famed perseverance and determination help him in his miraculous recovery.
Although left partially disabled from his injuries, Michael has continued to be an exceptional and inspiration public figure in sport. In 2003, Michael completed the London Marathon, walking two hours each morning and afternoon for six days. In the following year, he was awarded the MBE for his services to disability sport.
In 2017, Michael faced another ordeal when he became the victim of a violent car theft. Michael was dosed with a corrosive liquid and dragged along the road for quarter of mile when three men tried to steal a car that he was travelling in. Following the incident, Michael has been courageously speaking out about the flashbacks and physical seizures he has had as a result of the attack. Despite his suffering, Michael has extended his inspiring message of hope and self-belief to his attackers stating that would tell them “don’t give up hope, believe in yourselves”.
Join us for an evening with in conversation with Michael in which he shares his experiences bouncing back from adversity, and turning defeat into victory. He will be reflecting on the fight he has made both in and outside the boxing ring. This event is part of BlackChat, a forum to exchange ideas and issues affecting Black communities, and the Archiving the Past, Reflecting the Future project, which seeks to document and share the contribution of the African and African Caribbean community to British history. Everyone is invited to be part of the conversation.
Tuesday 26 February 2019, 6:00pm
Clephan Building, De Montfort University, Leicester, LE2 7BU
Tickets and Information: www.serendipity-uk.com| 0116 257 7316
For more information please do not hesitate to contact Serendipity on 0116 257 7316 or [email protected].
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