LONDON, England (CMC) — Former Commonwealth middleweight boxing champion Michael Watson was honoured yesterday with the broadcast of a television documentary film on Sky Sports.

The story of Watson, the British-born fighter whose parents hailed from Jamaica, will be featured in the film, Michael Watson: The People’s Champion, which will be shown exactly 20 years to the day after he was left paralysed following a final-round stoppage by fellow Briton Chris Eubank in a bout for the World Boxing Organisation middleweight title.

Earlier this week, the “cream of British boxing” gathered at the Dorchester Hotel in the British capital for a charity dinner in Watson’s honour and to raise funds for him.

The match on September 21, 1991 had been made following their first meeting three months earlier which ended in a controversial points victory for Eubank.

Watson seemed to be well ahead on points going into the final round of the rematch, but Eubank, knowing that only a knockout could save his title, launched an all-out assault which trapped his adversary on the ropes.

By the time the fight ended, the damage had been done. Both fighters dropped, but Watson spent 40 days in a coma, underwent six brain surgeries, and suffered partial paralysis.

His fight-back from paralysis has been remarkable — culminating in Michael completing the 2003 London Marathon and receiving the MBE the following year.

Receiving a special WBO People’s Champion-of-the-World belt at the dinner, Watson quipped: “At last, justice is done. I want to thank everyone who has been such a great help to me throughout my life. Life is a gift, and I’m so happy to be able to share this special evening with so many friends.”