Surprise EU title shot for Watson

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 06 Mar 2008, 05:10

Commonwealth Welter champ Craig Watson gets a rush shot at EU champ Daniele Petrucci this friday 8th.
Its in Italy , in the home town of the champ, so Craig might have to knock him out to get the draw.
But its another good winnable fight for Craig, the Italian hasn't faced much so far in his career. The only decent name on his record is Antonio Lauri who he beat by TD last time out.
Watson has faced the better quality in Fewkes, Taylor and Nuumbembe. He really came of age in the Nuumbembe fight, I thought it was a step to far for Craig at the time, but he certainly raised to the occasion, and though he won on a cut, it was a level fight at the time of the stoppage.

So Friday he can do the same, but the Italians know how to get the attention of the ref, alot of boxers from Italy moan and groan at any little infraction by their opponent. And the judges might stiff Craig if the rounds are close.
So here's hoping Watson can land enough to force a stoppage, otherwise i feel he may lose on points, in a fight he wins.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 06 Mar 2008, 09:29

Was Watson vs Nuumbembe level at the time of the stoppage? It shouldn't have been Watson was surely clearly infront.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 06 Mar 2008, 09:32

I had criag infront, although Ali was clearly distracted by the cut.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 06 Mar 2008, 10:53

Strange decision by team Watson - not sure if he is quite ready for this type of fight yet.... I think there are some big, meaningful fights for him in defence of his commonwealth belt - some good ones. Hatton, Doherty, Brook, All three Jones guys (Taz, Francis, Barrie), McNeil, Lomax etc.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 07 Mar 2008, 04:37

stujones wrote:Strange decision by team Watson - not sure if he is quite ready for this type of fight yet.... I think there are some big, meaningful fights for him in defence of his commonwealth belt - some good ones. Hatton, Doherty, Brook, All three Jones guys (Taz, Francis, Barrie), McNeil, Lomax etc.

must be a good payday, and i think the EU title fights are over 10 rounds, so not quite as demanding as a 12 rounder.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 07 Mar 2008, 05:29

Manchester's Craig Watson faces a tricky assignment in Italy tonight against unbeaten Italian Daniele Petrucci for the vacant EU welterweight title over 12 rounds.
Southpaw Watson has lost only to Sheffield fireball John Fewkes in 13 contests (points) - but that was down at light-welterweight and Watson has really blossomed since moving up to welter a year ago, where he sparked Londoner Robert Lloyd-Taylor in 37 seconds, snapped the unbeaten record of fellow southpaw Michael Lomax on an emphatic decision and won the 'proper' Commonwealth title with an impressive cuts stoppage of Namibia's Ali Nuumbembe last time out in December, a fight he was 'bossing' at the finish.
Slippery and sharp, Watson is possibly best known as the man who dumped Amir Khan on the seat of his pants in the preliminary stages of the ABAs in Preston's Guildhall in February 2005. It was Khan's first bout at light-welterweight, following his lightweight success in Athens, and after dominating the first three rounds, he tired in the fourth and last and copped a quick left hand and went down genuinely stunned.
"My heart was in my mouth when he went down and I was praying he would stay there," said Watson. "But he ended up getting up and there was nothing I could do about it in the end." But Khan had to survive a big follow-up attack, blood seeping from his nose, before he rallied to wrap up a 21-9 points victory in front of a roaring crowd, and his damaged nose leaked throughout on the way to a decision against Salford's Liam Dorrian later the same night.
Make no mistake, Khan has good cause to remember Craig Watson.
To the unheralded Petrucci, a 27-year-old former undefeated Italian welterweight champ who stepped up against fellow countryman Antonio Lauri in his last outing in November and picked up a cut from an accidental clash of heads in the third and it was ruled a technical draw (both men were cut). Strong and tough-looking, "Bucetto" has done nothing wrong in his career to date. It's hard to really judge him; it's going to be hard to beat him. Daniele missed out on the 2004 Olympics when he was outscored by Liverpool's Neil Perkins - a southpaw like Watson - in the European qualifiers but won his first 19 pro fights up to the Lauri draw and is bound to have ambition. He doesn't look much of a puncher but cute, durable and effective in the classic Italian mould. He's gone as far as 10 rounds three times; Watson has never done more than eight.
The rangy 25-year-old Watson, in his first appearance outside Britain, takes over advantages in height and reach, speed and sharpness. If it goes the full 12, however, don't rule out a decision for the local man.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 07 Mar 2008, 07:13

Must be here for the payday, low risk, still has the Commonwealth to fall back on. I mean Watson will have to knock this guy out for the proverbial draw won't he?!

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 07 Mar 2008, 07:25

stujones wrote:Strange decision by team Watson - not sure if he is quite ready for this type of fight yet.... I think there are some big, meaningful fights for him in defence of his commonwealth belt - some good ones. Hatton, Doherty, Brook, All three Jones guys (Taz, Francis, Barrie), McNeil, Lomax etc.

beat Lomax not so long ago didnt he... or did he not??

chris s · Post by **chris s** » 07 Mar 2008, 10:03

Watson is like an old timer who never says no to any opponent. These fighters who want their records padded with palakooville stiff should take notice of what Craig does

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 07 Mar 2008, 10:30

chris s wrote:Watson is like an old timer who never says no to any opponent. These fighters who want their records padded with palakooville stiff should take notice of what Craig does

True, after the Fewkes match i thought Watson wouldn't go very far, as he seemed a bit overawed in that one. But he's come back well and beat some decent guys. Maybe that defeat did him more good than bad , as his opponents thought he would be a soft touch.

Hope he pulls out the win on Friday, going to be tough though.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 07 Mar 2008, 10:44

Such an underated puncher too.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 07 Mar 2008, 10:52

His KO of Lloyd-Taylor will be one of the KO's of the year.
Also he had Fewkes hurt in the last 20 seconds of their fight, but Fewkes showed a good head to smother the follow up.

Petrucci looks to have a decent enough chin from what i've read, so could be a long night for Watson, also i didn't realise its a 12 rounder, might count against Craig in the later rounds , as he may not be at tip top shape , coming in so late.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 07 Mar 2008, 10:54

His KO of Lloyd-Taylor will be one of the KO's of the year.
Also he had Fewkes hurt in the last 20 seconds of their fight, but Fewkes showed a good head to smother the follow up.

Petrucci looks to have a decent enough chin from what i've read, so could be a long night for Watson, also i didn't realise its a 12 rounder, might count against Craig in the later rounds , as he may not be at tip top shape , coming in so late.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 08 Mar 2008, 08:04

What happened here then?

chris s · Post by **chris s** » 08 Mar 2008, 08:31

It is tonight

n1ebf · Post by **n1ebf** » 08 Mar 2008, 09:06

Wales wrote:I had criag infront, although Ali was clearly distracted by the cut.

well called.

n1ebf · Post by **n1ebf** » 08 Mar 2008, 09:35

EU?? EBU?? European Title??................can someone just tell me.....is this for the blue one?

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 08 Mar 2008, 09:50

Its for the EU title, which is like the meaning not the full EBU title, i'm just as confused as the rest of you how you qualify for it.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Mar 2008, 07:44

report from fightnews.com, sound like a conclusive loss for Watson, my awful predictions for the year continue.

Undefeated Italian welterweight Daniele Petrucci (20-0-1, 9KOs) became the new European Union 147 lbs champion after scoring a spectacular third round TKO over British co-challenger and Commonwealth titlist Craig Watson (12-2, 4KOs), on Saturday night at the Tendastrisce Palace in Roma, Italy, in front of 3,500 adoring fans in a sold-out arena on an exciting evening of boxing staged by Davide Buccioni. The ‘Roman Warrior’ started the fight very strongly and in the second round Watson was knocked down by a vicious cross to the chin. The contest was eventually stopped to the beginning of the third by referee Jesus Morata Garcia after Petrucci connected Watson with two big left crosses to the body. The performance of Petrucci was very impressive and who might be ready now for challenge the European king, Belgian big puncher Jackson Osei Bonsu.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 12 Mar 2008, 07:50

Impressive result for the Italian that