Hatton Boxing: Watson Gunning For O’Donnell In British Title Clash

Craig Watson has a double reason for making John O’Donnell pay in their vacant British welterweight title fight next month.

The Manchester man isn’t just smarting that he was robbed on points against fellow southpaw O’Donnell in their Commonwealth title fight back in April 2009.

Watson, 27, also had to cancel a dream New Year holiday in India with girlfriend Ashley Boardman when the February 19 date at Wembley Arena was announced.

Watson, who has won 19 of his 22 fights: “In the end a couple of friends took the holiday and it was bitterly disappointing.

“My girlfriend was upset, but understood and to make matters worse for her she has just lost her job as an IT recruitment consultant. I won’t leave anything to chance this time and cannot wait to get down to London and whip O’Donnell.

“Nothing else matters right now, and once the fight is over we can get away for a nice holiday. I believe I beat O’Donnell last time, but I hadn’t boxed for 11 months and did have ring rust. I have been kept busy so my timing will be there from the start.”

Watson is already in fantastic shape and a few pounds over the 10st 7lb weight limit for his clash against traveller O’Donnell.

His training programme has included 20 round circuits and ten round training sessions with unbeaten prospect Jamie Cox at trainer Joe Pennington’s gym.

Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Watson who is promoted by Hatton Promotions added: “My sparring partners are better than O’Donnell.

“This week I sparred with Jamie Cox and next week I and going to get some rounds in with Frankie Gavin. You cannot get better southpaw sparring than that anywhere in Britain.

“Jamie is miles better than O’Donnell and we are having really good spars. He hits much harder than O’Donnell, who cannot crack an egg.”