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Michael Watson attacked: Boxing world send messages of support after former sport star was brutally attacked

Tony Bellew and Luke Campbell among those to show support for former Boxer after attempted carjacking

THE BOXING WORLD has united behind former boxer Michael Watson after he was viciously attacked during an attempted carjacking on Thursday.

Watson, who sustained terrible injuries following a fight against Chris Eubank Sr in 1991, was travelling with his carer Lennard Ballack when their car was attacked.

 Michael Watson was one of the torchbearers ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games
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Michael Watson was one of the torchbearers ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic GamesCredit: Getty Images

The 51-year-old was sprayed with ammonia and dragged 500 yards along the street after his arm was caught in the seatbelt.

The attackers abandoned the carjacking and fled the scene upon realising.

Watson suffered burns to his skin but both him and Ballack were released from hospital on Saturday night, .

 Watson suffered severe injuries in his fight against Chris Eubank Sr in 1991
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Watson suffered severe injuries in his fight against Chris Eubank Sr in 1991Credit: Getty Images
 Watson walked the London Marathon with former footballer Danny Wallace last year
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Watson walked the London Marathon with former footballer Danny Wallace last year

Many well-known figures from the world of boxing tweeted their support for Watson following the attack.

World cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew wrote: "Just heard about Michael Watson! Sad! Doesn't the horrible piece of **** think Michael has been through enough! I hope your (sic) safe and well champ."

London 2012 Lightweight Olympic champion Luke Campbell tweeted: "Disgusted to hear the incident involving Michael Watson. I hope he has a speedy recovery and the people responsible are brought to justice."

Curtis Woodhouse and Enzo Maccarinelli were among others to tweet messages to Watson.

The 51-year-old competed from 1984 to 1991 and held the Commonwealth middleweight title for two years from 1989.

He also challenged for a world title three times.

Watson's carer Ballack told  about the ordeal: "The door flung open and one man went to our car and the other guy sprayed me with what I later found out was ammonia.

"I felt helpless because I was fighting for my life. Then I was hit on the head with something – I’ve got no idea what it was.

"The next thing I know was the Mercedes trying to drive away and it tried running me over. It was horrific. It was like a Western movie when the cowboy gets dragged along by a horse. He was going at least 50mph.

"It’s lucky that his (Watson's) arm was tied and he was in a seated position, because otherwise it could have been even worse."

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