NRL bad boy Anthony Watts has vowed to repeat his emphatic professional boxing debut victory when he takes on Paul Gallen at the Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday.
Watts was only released on bail from prison 16 weeks ago after spending three months behind bars following his role in a Queensland bikie brawl.
But the former Cronulla and North Queensland hooker, who was infamously sacked by the Sydney Roosters without playing a game for assaulting his girlfriend on a night out with Todd Carney, is determined to make a success of his new career.
That started with a bang last month with a 29-second first-round demolition of 122kg punching bag Nick Williams and Watts predicted more of the same when he fights Gallen on the undercard of the Daniel Geale v Jarrod Fletcher fight.
"There is a big chance of it happening. Huge," Watts said.
"I will come out pretty strong, I am going to be awesome."
Gallen's preparations were thrown into chaos when he contracted a golden staph infection in his groin last week and had to undergo surgery.
Watts claimed the news was nothing more than a publicity stunt before handing Gallen a shoe he'd stolen from his bag, having taped a sponsor's logo to the sole.
He then invited the Cronulla star to wear it in the ring so he could earn some extra cash when he knocks him out.
Gallen, who said he'll be fine to fight after being released from hospital on Saturday, laughed off Watts' offer.
"I thought thieving counted as part of his bail conditions," Gallen said.
"I'm just glad he's wearing a mouthguard," he said in reference to Watts' eight-game ban for biting the penis of an opponent in 2013.
