Monday, Apr 21, 2003
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Boxing
Watson started the 26.2-mile (42 kilometre) course last Sunday, along with 33,000 others. Walking two miles (3.2 km) in the morning and two miles in the afternoon, Watson reached the finish line on Pall Mall at midday on Saturday. ``It has been fantastic and I have enjoyed myself from day one,'' Watson said. ``Each mile I have got stronger. This will be the start of more things to come. I have never had any doubt I could do it. I am a man of great determination and confidence.'' Watson spent 40 days in a coma and had six brain operations after collapsing in the 12th round of a 1991 World Boxing Organization super-middleweight title fight against Chris Eubank. After coming out of hospital, Watson gradually regained speech and movement. After years in a wheelchair, he can now walk slowly. His left side is still partially paralysed. On Saturday he was greeted by hundreds of cheering supporters lining the final stages of the route. London Marathon organizers re-erected the official finish line complete with coloured balloons. Watson, competitor No. 60,199, was met at the line by Eubank and the two embraced. ``It's just an overwhelming day for me because of him,'' Eubank said. ``The respect I have for him, ever since that day we had that fight has been immense. It's been really moving." ``It shows what the human psyche can do, 12 years ago he was not supposed to be alive and today he has done a marathon. It is a great human endeavour.'' Watson said he did not hold any malice toward Eubank. ``I have come full circle since I was last involved with Eubank,'' Watson said before he started the final day's walk. ``There is no animosity. I have forgiven him. He was there with me in the ring when my boxing career ended and he will be with me as I complete a race in my new life.'' Watson was the last person to complete this year's London Marathon. Last Sunday the women's event was won by Paula Radcliffe of Britain in a world best time of 2 hours, 25 minutes, 15 seconds and the men's race by Ethiopian Gezahegne Abera in 2:07:56. The majority of runners finished with six hours of starting. Each mile of the marathon course took roughly one hour to complete. Watson rested and slept in a double-decker bus following him along the course. Watson was joined on the marathon by his neurologist Peter Hamlyn, who has treated him since his collapse. ``Five months ago I was worried he had taken on a physical challenge that was too much for him,'' Hamlyn said. ``Now look what he has done. ``It is a huge physical effort for him, and a mental effort to continue. I do not think people can imagine how difficult it is after an injury like that, to get back on your feet.'' Watson has raised 250,000 pounds (US$392,500) so far for the Brain and Spine Foundation. He aims to raise 1 million pounds (US$1.57 million). AP
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