Injured ex-boxer Michael Watson appeals for 'car-jacking' witnesses

Former professional boxer Michael Watson has appealed for witnesses after he was injured in a suspected car-jacking bid.

Watson, who was left partially disabled after a near-fatal brain injury in 1991, was "dragged" out of a car and along the floor during the attack in Chingford, east London.

He and his carer, Lennard Ballack, were also sprayed in the face with a suspected noxious substance, believed to be ammonia.

In a statement, former Commonwealth middleweight champion Watson urged any witnesses to come forward.

He said: "I am overwhelmed with all the messages I have received and the kindness shown to me and I would like to thank everyone for their concern.

"Lennard and I were involved in a very frightening, violent situation which came out of the blue in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon.

"I don't want anyone else to have to go through that so I'm asking you to help the police in finding these men and bring them to justice."

On Saturday, a spokesperson for Watson said the former boxer was "very, very sore".

Mr Ballack was also said to be "suffering".

During a world title bout with Chris Eubank in 1991, Watson sustained a brain injury which left him in a coma for 40 days.

Following six operations to remove a blood clot, the 51-year-old spent six years as a wheelchair user before he regained his mobility.

In 1999, Watson was awarded a reported £1m in damages from the British Boxing Board of Control over the lack of medical procedures at the world title fight at White Hart Lane, north London.