Watson consoled by lesser trinket by Grant Jeans Mar 29th 2006

Martin Watson will now face Thamesmead's Ryan Barrett for the WBU International lightweight title at the York Hall this Saturday, with the winner likely to take on Willie Limond for the full title later in the year. Coatbridge's Watson was previously scheduled to fight Gavin Rees but the Welshman's withdrawal with a hand injury gives southpaw Barrett his opportunity. The match up was originally to decide the new WBU 135 lbs champion but the British Boxing Board of Control would not sanction Watson for the world title shot because his last contest saw him lose by decision to Lee Meager in July of last year. What makes the Board's decision so peculiar is that Greenock's John Simpson, who also lost his last fight, is permitted to challenge Stephen Foster Jnr for the WBU featherweight championship in Saturday's main event. Simpson has twice fought for the British 126 lbs title and the second attempt was his last ring outing on 5th November when he lost to Andy Morris. Dazzo Williams defeated Simpson on the same date the previous year but the decision did not sit well with the vast majority who watched the contest. However in the eyes of the Board those two bouts for the Lonsdale Belt qualify Simpson to challenge for a world title. Watson currently holds the Celtic lightweight championship but it was obviously not deemed significant enough to warrant the shot at a world title. Although Watson is disappointed with this week's turn of events he is just glad to make a return to competitive action after such a long lay off. He said, “It's all about getting back in the ring. The preparation has been going well. I haven't really had any time off work but I am use to that. I work during the day and train during the evening. I am always in good condition but obviously I have stepped up a level in training for the fight.” Watson is still reaping the benefits from having trained so hard for his scheduled bout in February, which was cancelled after numerous changes in personnel for what would have been the chief support to Watson's Barn Boxing Club stablemate Ricky Burns clash with Alex Arthur. Watson added, “I was training for a fight in February which unfortunately never took place but I'm still in great shape. Ricky Burns has been my main sparring partner again and we work very well together. I know that Ryan Barrett has been out of the ring for a while too (Barrett last fought in June 2005) but I can't really see anything other than myself coming out on top.” Burns is hoping to fight for the British super-featherweight title once current champion Arthur, who handed Burns his only loss so far in the paid ranks in February, vacates the belt. Leeds Carl Johanneson would be the opponent after he stopped Andrew Ferrans in the second round of their eliminator last month. But first Burns must negotiate Saturday's opponent, Frenchman Adolph Avadja. Avadja has competed for each of the French super-featherweight and African lightweight titles on two occasions but came away empty-handed after all four contests. Despite losing 17 of his 27 bouts Avadja has only been stopped three times and in his ten wins he has halted two opponents. Avadja was unfortunate when he out pointed reigning EU lightweight champion Tomas Jansson back in 2002 as it was a non title bout over six rounds. Jansson won the rematch in which he defended the EU belt over the ten round championship distance. Burns said, “It's important that I keep fighting at a high level. I've heard that Alex Arthur is vacating the British title so hopefully I can fight for it on 29th April at the Meadowbank Spots Centre. I'm not really fussed who I fight, anyone at all. But first I will have to win on Saturday.” (I spoke to Frank Warren earlier this week. He told me Alex Arthur had no intention of vacating his British title any time soon - Ed.)

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