Watkins fought for a world title in Las Vegas, caught rats in Texas, dodged bombs in Baghdad and took Iraq’s one-man boxing team to the Athens Olympics in the summer of 2004.
Right now, Watkins is still waiting for George Clooney to play him in a movie adaptation of his remarkable life on both sides of the ropes. And it is mostly all true. Some versions have Brad Pitt as Termite and Sylvester Stallone directing. I’m not inventing this.
In 1980, outdoors in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace, Watkins lost over 15 rounds to Saoul Mamby for the WBC light welterweight title. It was the chief supporting fight to Muhammad Ali’s losing bid to regain the heavyweight championship of the world from Larry Holmes. Those are impressive facts and all true. Watkins fought a total of 69 times as a professional, winning 61 of those fights.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Stop buying clothes now!
As fashion campaigners demand 'degrowth' for an industry responsible for 10 per cent of global pollution, Helen Coffey talks to designers and activists about how, with 100 billion garments made every year, we risk shopping till we drop
The inspiration at heart of Slot and Guardiola's rivalry
Liverpool and Man City bosses set to meet for the first time
Has Bethell's Test cricket baptism come too soon?
Jacob Bethell, 21, has been thrust into England side based on potential. Could the risk backfire, asks Cameron Ponsonby
Resurgent Arsenal thrash Hammers in giddy goal fest
Arsenal plundered another hatful of goals at West Ham as they climbed up to second in the Premier League with a frenetic 5-2 victory.
Defensive Lionesses cancel USA in tactical stalemate
Another night of learning for England and Sarina Wiegman, even if the only fireworks produced from the visit of Emma Hayes and the United States were those in the pre-match light show at Wembley.
Grandmother lost savings and her business after being wrongly charged with fraud
Krista Brown receives 'unreserved' apology after seven-year ordeal at hands of Crown Prosecution Service and HMRC
Indian women are being 'controlled' by forest drones
Researchers say wildlife cameras are used to harass them
Rebels seize control of Aleppo in blow to Assad
Thousands of opposition forces took control of Syria’s second city Aleppo and its airport in a shock assault that marked their largest advance and the biggest challenge facing Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in years.
Ukraine could use a Trump peace deal to buy some time
After Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine, Western leaders repeated constantly that they would stand behind Kyiv \"as long as it takes\", first as Ukraine struck back, then as Russia counterattacked.
Zelensky's plan for peace a 'major concession' to Putin
UK's former ambassador to Russia praises Ukraine president
