Former boxer Michael Watson is still fighting for justice six months after savage acid attack and carjacking in Chingford

The former middleweight champ is now calling for tougher sentences on people throwing acid after an appalling spate of attacks in east London, leaving victims with life-changing and catastrophic injuries.

Michael, 52, was sprayed in his face with ammonia before being dragged 300 metres at 50mph by two thugs attempting to steal his car along The Ridgeway, in Chingford.

His seatbelt trapped him in the speeding car as the tarmac ripped his skin “like fire” from his back before he passed out from the pain.

Michael Watson and Lennard Ballack call for tougher penalties for acid attackers 

Despite the brazen daylight attack and a Crimewatch appeal for witnesses, the investigation has provided “no real leads” into finding the two men.

Since the ordeal, a surge in acid attacks has left victims all over east London and Essex, with incidents in Loughton, Leyton, Buckhurst Hill, Walthamstow, Wanstead and Leytonstone.

The former boxer said it “hasn’t been easy” getting over the trauma of the attack.

Speaking exclusively to the Chingford Guardian, he said: “I want these guys to get caught.

These lifelong best friends deserve justice 

“Since our incident a lot of attacks have been going on.

“It could be the same individuals, who knows. People like this shouldn’t be out on the loose, they should be inside prison doing time.”

Michael’s best friend and carer Lennard Ballack was driving their blue VW Golf along The Ridgeway on Thursday, February 16, just before 5pm, when two would-be thieves slammed into the back of it.

As he got out to confront them, a thug got out of a white E or C-Class Mercedes and sprayed him in the face with ammonia.

Police still hoping to trace this white Mercedes

He then jumped into Michael’s car with him still inside and drove off leaving Lennard behind. After dragging Michael for 300 metres, he dumped the car and made off with his accomplice in the same Mercedes.

Lennard said they are still searching for answers having last met up detectives three months ago.

He said: “They said they had no real leads and are just waiting. They’ve had people coming in saying this and that but nothing concrete.”

Michael was known as the People’s Champion in his prime, winning 25 of his 30 professional fights, 21 by knockout.

But in 1991, aged just 26, he suffered devastating brain injuries in his WBO super-middleweight title fight with Chris Eubank.

After six brain operations and 40 days in a coma, no one expected him to live, let alone make a miraculous recovery.

He would go on to capture the hearts and minds of the nation in 2003 by finishing the London Marathon against all odds.

Michael’s carer, whose skin went yellow and couldn’t open his eyes for two weeks after the attack, thinks the worrying trend in acid attacks is down to how easy it is.

He said: “I just think it’s an easier way of carrying something as near as a firearm.

“I would call for tougher sentences and make it equivalent to a firearm. It is really maiming people.

"They need tougher penalties"

“There should be more regulations in getting this acid.”

Michael added: “These youths need fear embedded in their hearts, they need tougher penalties for what they’ve been doing.

“They don’t have any fear, prison is like a fun club. It’s a bedsit. Some of them are better off inside than outside.”

Superintendent Paul Clements said there was a “positive response” following the Crimewatch appeal but officers are still tracing the white Mercedes.

He said: "I am particularly keen for any information about where the car went after it turned into Kings Road.

"I would like to praise the courage of both victims in the weeks following this traumatic attack.

"Anyone who has information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact police at the earliest opportunity."

Sitting at his home in Chingford, surrounded by remnants of his boxing heyday, Michael said he worries about today’s youth growing up without role models.

He said: “In my days we had community centres and youth clubs. But all that’s been taken away, there’s nothing for them to preoccupy themselves.

“I had people who inspired me to make me the man I am today.

“I’ve spoken with lots of them, they’re ambitious but they have got no drive and nobody to push them.

“They’re killing themselves and nobody gives a damn.”

Lennard added: “It’s like the children have been forgotten.”

Anyone with information on Michael’s attack should contact police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.