Watson set for Rome showdown by Mike Bradley Mar 5th 2008

Oldham's Commonwealth champion Craig Watson is heading for a Rome showdown on Friday against unbeaten Daniele Petrucci for the EBU welterweight title. Watson represents a step up in class for Italian champion Petrucci who has built his 20 fight unbeaten career by facing a number of journeymen and only last September was taken the distance by 32 year old Mugurel Sebe who has lost 42 of his 55 fights. “My promoter Frank Maloney offered me the fight and I jumped at it. I'd been back in the gym for five weeks and was getting twitchy about not having fought this year and I can't wait,” said Watson, the man dubbed, ‘The Hammer.' “I know it will be tough fighting in Italy as the judges over there can see things differently to everyone else but I intend to take the fight to him straight away and I hope my aggression will see me through. Because this title is one down from the official European title if I win I'll only be ranked number three in Europe but even so it's too good an opportunity to miss. “In my opinion he's never fought anyone of my calibre and has boxed journeymen all his life so I've no worries about taking the fight on March 8.” Watson trains in Clayton with Joe Pennington who shares his boxer's confidence. “Craig's ready now for the fight, he always keeps himself fit and he's been here in the afternoon and coming back in the evening, as far as I'm concerned the fight has come at the right time for him.”

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