Watson is Daddy Cool

IN THE THICK OF IT . . . Craig Watson (left) clashes with Tomasz Mazurkiewicz. PICTURE: MARK ROBINSON.

Boxing: OLDHAM'S Craig Watson is definitely the daddy.

A memorable weekend saw him earn a points victory over Tomasz Mazurkiewicz at the Manchester Velodrome and he celebrated by spending his first Father's Day with girlfriend Ashley and their four-month-old baby daughter Maisy Rose.

Southpaw Watson bounced back from successive defeats to Lee Purdy — which left him on the brink of quitting the sport — to breath fresh life into his career.

Both fighters hit the canvas in a stunning third round, first Mazurkiewicz from a left hook to the head and then Watson due to a loss of balance.

The 29-year-old welterweight dusted himself down and finished strongly to earn a 60-56 triumph.

"It was a great feeling to get back into the ring and get rid of some of the rust I have picked up,” said Watson.

The six-round bout could have been over by the third had Mazurkiewicz not shown so much heart to recover from a stinging left.