By Lee Collier
Liverpool’s unbeaten lightweight prospect John Watson recently enjoyed the first or two sparring session with two-weight world champion Joan Guzman at the Dominican’s training camp in Manchester. Watson, who is due to fight namesake Martin Watson of Scotland in Leigh this Friday, spoke to Boxingscene.com after the sparring session had concluded. The Liverpudlian was ecstatic to have the chance to train with a former world champion and feels that it will benefit him come fight night.
“It was great experience to spar with Guzman,” beamed Watson. “It felt good and he’s awkward to hit and tries to make you miss so you have to stay patient with him. I felt I give a good account of myself and didn’t take any daft shots. I think Guzman was using my shots so he could defend but when he did land shots the power was nothing I wasn’t used to - I’m looking forward to sparring with him again.”
The 26-year-old faces Scotsman Martin Watson on Friday’s Frank Maloney-promoted, Sky Sports televised card in what will be a good test for the Liverpool fighter with Martin Watson having faced a higher level of competition.
“I know he is a pressure fighter and is quite short. He has a few losses but he’s only been beaten by the likes of Gavin Rees and Willie Limond so he falls short when he’s been in with good company. None of the guys who beat him managed to stop him, I’ll be looking to be the first person to stop him inside the distance,” declared Watson.
Back in March, the talented fighter beat Martin Gethin in a British title eliminator but Watson has been left inactive. Watson feels a good win against his namesake will put his name back in the title mix.
“I had a British title eliminator last March so I’m looking to build on that. I’ve been inactive since the fight in March so I’m looking for a bit of consistency, 2 or 3 fights then I’ll be looking for a British or Commonwealth title,” explained Watson.
“I’d like to fight [Commonwealth champion] Lee [McAllister] and I’m confident I’d beat him but we have the same trainer in Dave Coldwell so that’s holding that back, I just need to stay patient and see what Dave comes up with.”
Dave Coldwell doubles up as Watson’s manager alongside being the man responsible for training him and is confident that Watson’s career is moving at the correct pace. “I am happy with how he is progressing and John is a good student of the game,” explained Coldwell.
“I’m looking forward to the Watson fight as it’s a real fight but I anticipate John will get the win. John has wanted to fight for title’s since he beat [Martin] Gethin but my explanation is that Gethin was his first real test. He then boxed Al Hamidi who is a tough fighter but John Watson dominated him for the full fight so hopefully Martin Watson gives him a real test and then we’ll look at putting him in the title mix.”
With Coldwell being actively involved in training both Watson and Commonwealth champion Lee McAllister it means that Watson may be pushed down the British title route, a belt currently held by John Murray.
“I would prefer John not to go the Commonwealth route so hopefully John [Murray] will win the European title and vacate the British,” explained Coldwell. “John is a year and a couple of good testing fights away from stepping in with John Murray but anybody else in the lightweight division I wouldn’t hesitate in putting him in with. He is by far the best of the rest of the bunch,” concluded Coldwell.
