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Former boxer Michael Watson attacked in attempted robbery

Michael Watson
Image: Michael Watson was attacked in Chingford on Thursday night

Former boxer Michael Watson and his carer have been treated in hospital after being "sprayed in the face" by attempted robbers and "dragged" from the car they were travelling in.

Watson was travelling through Essex in a Volkswagen Golf with his carer Lennard Ballack on Thursday when two would-be car thieves slammed into the back of their vehicle, sprayed them both in the face with a "noxious substance" and dragged the former world title challenger from his seat.

Ballack and Watson were both taken to hospital after the attack and were released on Saturday.

A spokesman for Watson 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.

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

Michael Watson was in a coma for 40 days in 1991
Image: Watson was admitted to an east London hospital following the attack

A statement from the Metropolitan Police read: "Police were called at 16:53hrs on Thursday, February 16, to reports of an attempted robbery on The Ridgeway in Chingford.

"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 should contact officers at Waltham Forest via 101. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue."

Watson had his boxing career ended in September 1991 after being placed in a coma following a bout with Chris Eubank Sr at White Hart Lane.

The former commonwealth middleweight champion suffered brain damage in the ring and had five life-saving operations following his clash with Eubank Sr.

Watson spent months in intensive care, but managed to make a recovery. He was rewarded with an MBE in 2004 for raising thousands of pounds for charity after walking the London Marathon.

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