Michael Watson carjacking: Ex-boxer hung on 'for dear life' in attack by 'evil thugs'

Michael Watson has described "hanging on for dear life" during a carjacking as he was dragged along a road for several hundred metres.

The former professional boxer, 51, had been unable to free himself from his seatbelt as one of the attackers drove his vehicle away in Chingford, Essex last month.

Watson, who suffered a serious brain injury and was left partially disabled after a title fight against Chris Eubank in 1991, said the attack on The Ridgeway was "like a nightmare".

Fortunately he escaped without major injuries, but his lifelong friend and carer Lennard Ballack was beaten and had ammonia sprayed in his face.

Ex-Commonwealth middleweight champion Watson called the two carjackers "evil thugs" who were "senseless" and "have no heart".

He said: "It became like a nightmare. I couldn't believe it was happening.

"It felt like my skin was peeling off. I was hanging on for dear life."

Lennard, who was also not seriously hurt, said: "I kept on saying, 'Is Michael dead? Is he dead?'"

He said: "No bones were broken, thank God especially my head wasn't smashed in. I just came through with all bumps and grazes. A very lucky escape."

The car was dumped a short distance along the same road.

The latest comments were released as part of a fresh Crimewatch appeal on Monday night into the carjacking just before 5pm on 16 February, where unseen CCTV will be aired.

During a world title bout with Eubank 26 years ago, Watson sustained a brain injury which left him in a coma for 40 days.

Following six operations to remove a blood clot, he spent six years as a wheelchair user before he regained his mobility.

In 1999, Watson was awarded a reported £1m in damages from the British Boxing Board of Control over the lack of medical procedures at the world title fight at White Hart Lane, north London.