43 years ago

Date: 20th June 1981

Title: WBC World Lightweight Title

Promoter: Mickey Duff & Harry Levene

Tv: BBC

Jim Watt
( 38 - 7 - 0 )
Weight: 134¾ lbs

Alexis Arguello
( 66 - 5 - 0 )
Weight: 133½ lbs

On the evening of Saturday 20th June 1981, the Empire Pool at Wembley, London, played host to the WBC World Lightweight Title fight between champion Jim Watt of Scotland and challenger Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua. Promoted by Mickey Duff and Harry Levene, the fight was aired on BBC television. This was Watt's fifth defense of the title.

Both boxers weighed in before the fight; Jim Watt at 134¾ lbs and Alexis Arguello at 133½ lbs. Arthur Mercante was appointed as the referee. The fight began with both boxers sizing each other up, but it wasn't long before Arguello took control of the bout.

Arguello put Watt on the defensive from the opening bell and increased the pace after the 5th round. In the 7th round, a sharp left hook to Watt's body and a right cross from Arguello dumped the Scot on the canvas for a count of eight after a left to the chin. Watt was able to continue the fight but was visibly shaken from the knockdown.

Watt also suffered from a bloody nose from the 8th round onwards and a cut under the left eye from the 10th round. Despite this, Watt fought valiantly, but Arguello's aggression and skill were too much for him to handle. In the end, Arguello won the fight with a convincing unanimous decision after fifteen rounds.

Alexis Arguello became the new WBC World Lightweight Champion after his victory over Jim Watt. This victory also meant that Arguello became a three-division champion.