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A cut above

12/12/2007

FAILSWORTH fighter Craig Watson is targeting a mandatory defence of his Commonwealth welterweight title after winning the belt last weekend.

Having only turned professional two-and-a-half years ago, the 24-year-old defeated reigning champion, Namibian Ali Nuumbembe, at Wigan’s Robin Park Arena to win the title in only his 13th fight.

An early clash of heads saw Glossop-based Nuumbembe suffer a cut above his left eye which his cornermen were not able to stem, resulting in referee Dave Parris stopping the fight after nine rounds.

However, the nature of the victory did not detract from Watson’s performance which belied his youth.

"After only two-and-a half years as a pro, you just can’t understand what this means to me," said Watson. "I’ve come such a long way in a short space of time.

"Ali is tough and I wish it wasn’t a cut that stopped it but that’s the way it goes. It’s a shame but I’m over the moon. I saw it (the blood) pouring into his face and he was always dabbing it. I thought they’d stop it in the sixth."

After both fighters had exchanged heavy blows early on, the clash of heads saw blood flow into Nuumbembe’s face, forcing the Namibian to go for a stoppage.

Although Nuumbembe found Watson’s chin in the fifth round, his wound became worse with referee Dave Parris seeking the advice of the ringside doctor at the end of the seventh before halting proceedings two rounds later.

That left Nuumbembe seeking a rematch.

"I feel really bad losing my title like that," he said. "I was winning the fight when it was stopped. It was a headbutt that did the damage, which is such a bad way to lose, but I just hope now my manager can get me a rematch next year.

"Craig Watson was tough, but he didn’t hurt me."