Seaman Tommy Watson
| Tommy Watson | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Thomas Watson |
| Nickname(s) | Seaman Watson |
| Weight(s) |
Featherweight Lightweight |
| Nationality | British |
| Born |
2 June 1908 Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Died | 27 January 1971 (aged 62) |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 123 |
| Wins | 112 |
| Wins by KO | 27 |
| Losses | 9 |
| Draws | 2 |
Thomas Watson (2 June 1908 – 27 January 1971), better known as Tommy Watson or Seaman Watson, was an English boxer who was British featherweight champion between 1932 and 1934.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Watson served in the Royal Navy, in which he was lightweight champion. He made his professional debut in September 1925 with a points win over Tom Pinkney. Unbeaten in his first 30 fights, he suffered his first defeat in June 1928 when he was beaten on points over 15 rounds by George Rose. Watson went another 24 fights unbeaten before meeting Rose again in March 1930, again losing on points.
Watson won his next 21 fights, including victories over Nipper Pat Daly, Auguste Gyde, and Jack Garland. In April 1931, in his 78th fight, he was stopped for the first time, by Dom Volante at the Royal Albert Hall.
Another 14 wins followed, beating the likes of Luigi Quadrini and Phineas John before finally getting a shot at the British featherweight title held by Nel Tarleton in November 1932. The two met at The Stadium, Liverpool, the fight going the full 15 rounds, with Watson getting the verdict to become British champion.
In January 1933, Watson travelled to the United States for the first time. He beat Fidel LaBarba by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden, earning the right to meet World champion Kid Chocolate. Watson returned to England, where he again beat Gyde, before sailing again for the United States for the World title fight. In May Kid Chocolate and Watson met at Madison Square Garden with the NYSAC World featherweight title at stake. The fight went the full 15 rounds, with Kid Chocolate getting a unanimous decision to retain the title. Only a week later, Watson faced Canadian champion Bob Laurence in Toronto, winning convincingly on points.
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