By Ryan Burton
On Saturday night J'Leon Love defeated Marco Antonio Periban of Mexico, winning an unanimous decision by a comfortable margin. The final tallies read 97-92, 96-93 and 95-93. Love did however have to survive a rough 5th round where he was staggered and badly buzzed. He said that the key was that he recognized he needed a few seconds to regain his composure and that led him to taking a knee.
"It is about being smart in there man. I knew I was fine. I just needed to get my composure. It was a shot that grazed the side of my head and kind of knocked my equilibrium off a little bit. I knew that this kid was coming and throwing a bunch of punches trying to get me out of there. I knew I was slipping a bunch of them but at the same time you have to be smart," Love explained.
Love admitted that he wanted to come out and make a statement in the sixth round which he did by having one of his best rounds of the fight. He said that it is important to come back and show you are recovered after taking a big shot.
"A lot of times you see someone get dropped and get up but lose the next round and the round after that. I knew I had to come back strong which I did," said Love.
As far as the future, Love said that he will leave that up to his team but that he is willing to face anyone.
"I leave that up to Al Haymon and Mayweather Promotions but I am ready for anybody," Love told BoxingScene.com.
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