Watson took up boxing at the age of fourteen at the Crown and Manor boxing club, where he proved to be a quick learner, winning the 1980 London Schools title in the under-71kg weight class.
Watson took up boxing at the age of fourteen after being beaten up by the local bully. He started out at the Crown and Manor boxing club, where he proved to be a quick learner, winning the 1980 London Schools title in the under-71kg weight class.