Expecting ring hiding ‘terrifying’

Facing hulking cricketer Jesse Ryder in a charity boxing match after just three weeks’ training was “terrifying” and risky, commentator Mark Watson says.

While Watson is a former professional sportsman, former Black Cap batsman Ryder went into the 2012 bout much younger and with significant height, weight and reach advantages.

Ryder subsequently made short work of former Radio Sport commentator Watson with a firstround technical knockout.

“When I fought Jesse Ryder, I knew going in that I was going to get hammered and that there was a good chance I was going to get knocked out — and that’s terrifying,” he said.

“I can categorically tell you my wife did not want me doing it, my mother did not want me doing it and my wife was in tears during it.”

Watson said he never believed at the time he could die. However, with hindsight and the knowledge two people had died in charity matches in the last three years, he realised he could have been badly hurt.

He now believes more should be done to regulate such events and ensure even match-ups.