By Ryan Burton
Middleweight prospect J'Leon Love (9-0, 6KOs) has served as Antonio Margarito's chief sparring partner for his upcoming grudge match versus Miguel Cotto, scheduled for December 3rd at New York's Madison Square Garden. On a recent edition of The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene.com's official audio show, Love said that Margarito has being going full throttle while battling his sparring partners and also made it clear that none of them showed any mercy on Margarito's surgically repaired eye.
"We go full blast. We don't take it easy on the eye," stated Love. "Cotto won't (take it easy) so we don't."
Love believes that Margarito will find success and defeat Cotto again. He said Margarito has been a beast in training camp and feels the Mexican fighter will be more comfortable at 153 pounds instead of the 147-limit, where the first fight took place. He also doesn't think the junior middleweight limit is Cotto's optimum weight.
"He (Margarito) throws hard body shots and upper cuts. Tony is going to be more comfortable at 153. I know Cotto isn't the same fighter at 154. He is slower and more sluggish," Love told The Boxing Lab.
The Michigan native said that everyone is working hard in camp and that there is definitely a tension between the two teams. Love said that Margarito is extra motivated for this fight and that Cotto has no chance of beating Margarito.
"Cotto has no respect for Margarito and vice versa. December 3rd it is going down. Tony knows what he has to do. This fight won't go to decision. Cotto won't be able to beat him," said Love.
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