Watts promises a better showing

12.09 - REVERE --- Kevin Watts realizes he made some mistakes the last time he fought Jeff Fraza when the New England junior welterweight title was at state.

"I was three pounds overweight at the weigh-in which was the day before the fight," said the Massachusetts junior welterweight champion. "I just didn't have the proper focus for that fight. I am not making that mistake this time around."

The fifth Mohegan Sun FightNight New England fight card produced by Cappiello Promotions will feature the rematch of Fraza and Watts; two of the more entertaining fighters in New England, Each man will bring a belt into the ring; Watts holds the Massachusetts title and Fraza is the New England champion. When it is all said and done, only one man will walk out with both belts and will be the best junior welterweight in New England.

The Mohegan Sun FightNight New England fight card will take place at Club Lido, formerly known as the Wonderland Entertainment Complex on Sept. 26. The Fraza-Watts fight is the headline bout of the evening. Ian Gardner, the promising Brockton middleweight will also fight on this card veteran Brett Lally.

Watts, who is the first to admit that he and Fraza are friends outside the ring, also knows this fight will go a long way to determined if there is a huge pay day in his future.

"He has something I want," said Watts. "In our last fight, I got cut in the first 20 seconds and I never really found my rhythm. I take my hat off to Jeff, he won that fight but I know that I am the better boxer."

The Fraza camp is hoping that this rematch will be more of a brawl than a battle. Watts is taking a different approach to this fight and most likely the fighter who will dictate tempo will walk away with both belts.

"I am hoping to land 40-60 jabs per round," said Watts, the South Boston native. "I plan to keep Fraza moving and wear him down."

Watts knows he is needs to make amends for his recent performances. He followed the loss to Fraza with a St. Patrick's Day win over fellow South Boston resident Jimmy LeBlanc, the fight that got Watts the Massachusetts title. That fight was stopped 16 seconds into the eighth round when Watts hit LeBlanc with a shot to the head that opened a cut over LeBlanc's right eye that could not be stitched. LeBlanc claimed the "shot" was actually a head butt but could not convince the referee. At the time, LeBlanc was ahead on two judges' scorecards 68-64 and was tied on the third, 66-66 but when he walked out of the ring, it was Watts who had the belt as the Massachusetts champion.

"My last fight was not Kevin Watts at his best," Watts admitted. "I figure the best way to redeem myself was to get into the ring with something on the line against a good fighter. I could have had two or three more fights against less lesser competition but at this point in my career what is the point? What is two more wins going to do for me, I want to go for it right now and prove to everyone that I am the best in New England."

Fight promoter Rich Cappiello announced the rest of the lineup for the Sept. 26 card. Gardner, voted rookie of the year in 2002 by one New England boxing publication, will fight veteran Brett Lally who will take a 39-12 record into the ring. Gardner will be looking for his 15th professional win. Eddie Bishop of Stoughton will be looking to remain undefeated as he will fight Marcus Luck of North Carolina who is coming off a solid victory over LeBlanc on the last FightNite New England card held in Brockton in August.

The always entertaining heavyweight Harold Rodrigues of Taunton will fight Mike Beverly of Boston who will be looking for his second win in his second professional fight. Undefeated Melvin Cumba of Brockton will fight Walter Speight; Anthony Riviera will fight veteran Bernard Robinson and two fighters will be making their professional debut as Philip McCant will battle Terrance Watson.

The doors of Club Lido open at 6 p.m. on Sept. 26 and the first fight is scheduled for 7:30. Ticket prices are $50 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