Fighting Back: The Michael Watson Story

On 21 September 1991 Michael Watson stepped into the ring to fight Chris Eubank for the WBO super middleweight title, and the match changed his life. This documentary revisits that night and the long period that followed, tracing Watson's recovery from life-threatening injuries and the slow rebuilding of his body and public voice. Over a decade after the fight the film brings Watson back into the spotlight, including his first on-camera meeting with Eubank, and pieces together personal interviews, contemporary reporting, and archival footage to show how one sporting event had lasting consequences for an athlete and his community.

Released in 2001, the film was created by Neil Blewett and credits Michael Watson, Chris Eubank, and Roy Francis among its contributors, with Steven Hartley providing narration. It relies on interviews and archival material rather than fictional dramatization.

The documentary received a limited theatrical and festival run, attracting attention mainly within British boxing circles and specialty outlets, rather than scoring a mainstream box office hit.

Because it captures Watson and Eubank meeting publicly for the first time on camera, the film became a touchstone for discussions about athlete safety. It helped focus attention on post-fight medical care and the human cost of professional boxing, and it continues to be cited when people discuss reforms and remembrance in the sport.

The film emphasizes themes of recovery, accountability, and the long shadow of a single event. It uses close interviews, contemporary news clips, and quiet moments of reflection to build an intimate portrait. Viewers who watch it should expect a sober, personal account that highlights how resilience and public scrutiny intersect after a catastrophic injury.