Ex-boxer Michael Watson pleads for attackers to be caught after 'frightening and violent' attempted carjacking in east London

Former boxer Michael Watson has thanked fans for their support following a violent attempted carjacking in east London and made a desperate plea for his attackers to be caught.

The 51-year-old, who was put in a coma by Chris Eubank in 1991, was injured after being dragged along a road in an attempted robbery in Chingford on Thursday.

The former Commonwealth middleweight champion and his carer Lennard Ballack were sprayed with a noxious substance during the attack, police said.

In a statement, Watson thanked fans for their support and urged witnesses to come forward.

He said: "I am overwhelmed with all the messages I have received and the kindness shown to me and I would like to thank everyone for their concern.

"Lennard and I were involved in a very frightening, violent situation which came out of the blue in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon.

"I don't want anyone else to have to go through that so I'm asking you to help the police in finding these men and bring them to justice."

Attackers smashed a car, believed to be a white Mercedes, into the back of the pair's vehicle as they drove down The Ridgeway shortly before 5pm.

Mr Ballack got out to inspect the damage and was punched to the floor by one of the thugs.

They then leapt into Mr Ballack’s car and attempted to drive off, dragging Watson along the road around 500 – 600 metres.

Both men were taken to hospital following the attack.

A spokesman for Watson previously said: "Somebody bumped into the back of the car that Michael and Lennard were in.

"There didn't appear to be any damage, but Lennard got out to speak to the people in the car behind them.

"From what I understand, the guys wound down their window and sprayed something in his eyes.

"The men then went to the car that Michael was in, he had his seatbelt half off by this point, and they dragged him out the car and along the floor. We are assuming it was an attempted car-jacking.

"The men then sprayed Lennard in the eyes again and drove away."

The suspects left the scene in a different vehicle, while the former world title challenger and his friend were left lying injured in the street.

The spokesman said: "Lennard's suffering a bit - his eyes are not good. Michael is okay.

"I think he is very, very sore though. He got dragged along the road so some of the skin has broken badly.

"I gather the police have been very good, so the aim now is to catch the people who did this."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed officers were called to the scene shortly before 5pm to reports of an attempted robbery.

He said: "Two men, aged in their 50s, informed officers that they had been sprayed in the face with a suspected noxious substance by two suspects who attempted to steal the car.

"The male suspects fled the scene in a different vehicle.

"The victims were assessed at the scene by the London Ambulance Service before being taken to an east London hospital for further treatment - their injuries are not life-threatening."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 101.