There is more than South Boston bragging rights on the line in LeBlanc-Watts battle at The Roxy

08.03 - BOSTON -They grew up in the same neighborhood, they have known each other for years. Most days, Jimmy LeBlanc and Kevin Watts consider each other friends.

March 17, 2003 will not be like most days. The pride of South Boston will be on the line on that night at The Roxy as Kevin "Cocky" Watts (17-2) will battle Jimmy "The Dream" LeBlanc (9-2-3) in a 10-round battle that may pit neighbor against neighbor and brother against brother. There is a great deal on the line for both fighters besides the bragging rights of South Boston. This is a Massachusetts state title eliminator fight and the winner of this fight will battle Jeff Fraza, current New England title holder for the Massachusetts and New England titles in May.

Both fighters realize that when the bell rings on March 17, friendship needs to be put aside.

"I have known him for a long time and I have seen all of his fights," said LeBlanc of Watts. "But this is a business and he is standing in the way of my dream."

"After the fight I will shake his hand and give him a hug," said Watts. "During the fight, he is just another opponent and I am going to do to him what I would do to any opponent."

Watts is hoping that a win over LeBlanc will lead to another shot at Fraza who beat Watts for the New England title in 2002. He believes the best way to take of care of business with LeBlanc is to come out of the corner swinging.

"My style is aggressive and I am not going to wait for Jimmy to make his move," said Watts. "I don't think he can handle a fighter like me coming right after him. He might be able to keep his hands up for three or four rounds but he will get tired because of all the body work I am going to do on him. Jimmy "The Dream" is going to meet his nightmare on St. Patrick's Day.

LeBlanc is an experienced fighter despite having just 14 professional fights. He has an 84-12 amateur record and has fought against the like of Fernardo Vargas.

"I am coming into this fight in excellent shape, so the idea that I am going to go away after four rounds is nonsense," said LeBlanc. "It is not like I am taking this fight on short notice. I have been looking forward to this fight for a long time. There will be no excuses; people will see the real Jimmy LeBlanc on St. Patrick's Day."

There is a strong Irish flavor to the St. Patrick's Day card produced by Cappiello Productions. LeBlanc and Watts are not the only South Boston natives on the St. Patrick's Day card at The Roxy. South Boston native Tommy Attardo will fight a six-round battle against Ian Gardner of Brockton. Fraza will also fight on the card in an eight-round battle against Eugene Pratt.

The headline battle of the St. Patrick's Day card will be Kevin McBride, the IBC American Heavyweight champion battling Najee Shaheed, contender for the New England heavyweight title. It will be McBride's first title defense of his IBC American crown since winning the title last October in a TKO of Craig Tomlinson.

The MSFNE show is presented in association with Cappiello Productions, the Mohegan Sun, the Holiday Inn Metro South of Brockton and Guinness. The doors open at 6 p.m. with the first fight scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $60 for gold ringside, $40 for ringside and $30 for general admission. For ticket information, call 508 587-5554 or 508 587-3370 or check out the website at www.cappielloboxing.com