Soldato
He came onto the Highbury pitch a few weeks ago, to a big round of applause as normal, and it was announced that he was attempting the London Marathon this weekend.
He's come on leaps and bounds and I was really moved, the marathon will take 5 or 6 days, but he gets my total respect for what he's achieved.
Here's more from the BBCi:
Former boxer Michael Watson is to face one of the toughest challenges of his sporting career - the London Marathon on Sunday, 13 April.
Michael's boxing career ended when he suffered a blood clot in the brain after a super-middleweight bout with Chris Eubank in 1991.
Initially close to death, Michael needed five brain operations.
Nearly 12 years on, he still has only one "good" leg and suffers dizzy spells.
Last year's marathon winner, Moroccan-born American Khalid Khannouchi, won in two hours five minutes and 38 seconds - Michael reckons his Herculean attempt, using his "Ali shuffle" could take him five or six days.
But he said the challenge had given him a goal, helping raise a million pounds for the Brain and Spine Foundation, which supported him during his illness.
"Attempting the marathon has given me a new incentive," he said. "It's like I'm preparing for a fight again.
"It's given me a goal something to work towards. I am raring to go.
"I feel fantastic - mentally and physically.
"I think the hardest bit about the marathon will be the victory salute at the end of it.
"I'm not daunted by the idea because my faith and determination will see me through."
Throughout his challenge Michael will be joined by a number of other sporting celebrities, footballers Jody Morris and Jason Euell, and actor Nick Moran.
Former combatant Chris Eubank has also promised his support and will walk the last few miles with Michael.
Michael said he had decided to walk the course for the Brain and Spine Foundation because they had helped him so much after his injury.
"They did a lot for me at a critical moment. They also helped me to break through the barrier to get well. When I was first injured I could not walk or talk, I had no self-esteem."
Brain and spine disorders affect more than three million people in the UK and are the most common cause of disability in the population.
The Brain and Spine Foundation was set up to help develop research, to educate and inform about the conditions, which can include brain and spinal tumours, dizziness and balance problems.
Consultant neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn, who saved Michael's life and also challenged him to "do the marathon", praised his bravery.
"I have treated thousands of head injury patients and I have never seen anyone else overcome that degree of physical disability.
"He has no business to be walking to the end of the road, never mind contemplating a marathon.
"If he achieves it, it'll be one of the greatest physical achievements the marathon has ever seen.
"Just walking a mile for him is a marathon."
An Expert view:
"If he achieves it, it'll be one of the greatest physical achievements the marathon has ever seen"
Consultant neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn
He's come on leaps and bounds and I was really moved, the marathon will take 5 or 6 days, but he gets my total respect for what he's achieved.
Here's more from the BBCi:
Former boxer Michael Watson is to face one of the toughest challenges of his sporting career - the London Marathon on Sunday, 13 April.
Michael's boxing career ended when he suffered a blood clot in the brain after a super-middleweight bout with Chris Eubank in 1991.
Initially close to death, Michael needed five brain operations.
Nearly 12 years on, he still has only one "good" leg and suffers dizzy spells.
Last year's marathon winner, Moroccan-born American Khalid Khannouchi, won in two hours five minutes and 38 seconds - Michael reckons his Herculean attempt, using his "Ali shuffle" could take him five or six days.
But he said the challenge had given him a goal, helping raise a million pounds for the Brain and Spine Foundation, which supported him during his illness.
"Attempting the marathon has given me a new incentive," he said. "It's like I'm preparing for a fight again.
"It's given me a goal something to work towards. I am raring to go.
"I feel fantastic - mentally and physically.
"I think the hardest bit about the marathon will be the victory salute at the end of it.
"I'm not daunted by the idea because my faith and determination will see me through."
Throughout his challenge Michael will be joined by a number of other sporting celebrities, footballers Jody Morris and Jason Euell, and actor Nick Moran.
Former combatant Chris Eubank has also promised his support and will walk the last few miles with Michael.
Michael said he had decided to walk the course for the Brain and Spine Foundation because they had helped him so much after his injury.
"They did a lot for me at a critical moment. They also helped me to break through the barrier to get well. When I was first injured I could not walk or talk, I had no self-esteem."
Brain and spine disorders affect more than three million people in the UK and are the most common cause of disability in the population.
The Brain and Spine Foundation was set up to help develop research, to educate and inform about the conditions, which can include brain and spinal tumours, dizziness and balance problems.
Consultant neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn, who saved Michael's life and also challenged him to "do the marathon", praised his bravery.
"I have treated thousands of head injury patients and I have never seen anyone else overcome that degree of physical disability.
"He has no business to be walking to the end of the road, never mind contemplating a marathon.
"If he achieves it, it'll be one of the greatest physical achievements the marathon has ever seen.
"Just walking a mile for him is a marathon."
An Expert view:
"If he achieves it, it'll be one of the greatest physical achievements the marathon has ever seen"
Consultant neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn
