45 years ago

Date: 3rd November 1979

Title: WBC World Lightweight Title

Promoter: Mike Barrett & Mickey Duff

Tv: BBC

Jim Watt
( 34 - 7 - 0 )
Weight: 135 lbs

Robert Vasquez
( 20 - 4 - 2 )
Weight: 134¾ lbs

On Saturday 3rd November 1979, the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Scotland, hosted the much-anticipated WBC World Lightweight Title fight between local hero Jim Watt and Robert Vasquez from San Antonio, Texas. The fight, which was the first defense for Jim Watt, was promoted by Mike Barrett and Mickey Duff and aired on BBC, drawing a large and excited crowd.

Both fighters came into the ring at similar weights, with Jim Watt weighing in at 135 lbs and Robert Vasquez at 134¾ lbs. Watt was the clear favorite, having already established himself as a top fighter in the lightweight division. Nevertheless, Vasquez was confident and determined to cause an upset on Scottish soil.

The fight got off to a tense start, with both fighters sizing each other up in the early rounds. Vasquez looked sharp and seemed to be getting the better of Watt, who appeared hesitant and struggled to find his rhythm. However, as the rounds went on, Watt began to find his range and started to land some telling blows.

By the middle rounds, Watt had established himself as the dominant fighter and was landing some powerful shots on Vasquez, who looked increasingly tired and out of his depth. The Scottish crowd was firmly behind Watt and cheered him on as he continued to dominate the fight.

As the fight entered the latter rounds, Watt turned up the heat and began to unleash a flurry of punches on Vasquez. The Texan fighter was clearly struggling to keep up and looked to be on the verge of being knocked out. In the 9th round, Watt landed a series of devastating blows that forced the referee, Rudy Ortega, to step in and stop the fight.