By Chris Robinson
Having moved to Las Vegas late last year, Detroit native and undefeated middleweight prospect J’Leon Love has been a fixture on the city’s fight scene, both in and out of the ropes.
Having recently raised his record to 13-0 with 7 knockouts after an 8th round disqualification victory over Ramon Valenzuela Jr. a few weekends back at the local Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Love is also an ardent fan of the sport, as he is at practically every card in Las Vegas, whether big or small.
Having sat ringside inside of the MGM Grand for Saul Alvarez’s 5th round TKO dissection over Josesito Lopez on Saturday night, Love admits that he was impressed by the WBC junior middleweight champion’s performance.
“That boy was sharp. They can say it was an easy fight for him,” said Love of Alvarez when we spoke on Monday.“He really made it look easy. He was sharp, used the jab, body shot, I can’t complain. It’s not the kid’s fault. Whoever they pick, he fights them.”
Love does admit that a more formidable challenge, at least in terms of natural size, as Lopez is a natural 140-pounder, would be ideal for ‘Canelo’ at this stage of his career.
“Right now he could step it up,” stated Love. “There are so many guys out there. They said they want Floyd [Mayweather] to fight Canelo. That’s what the fans would love to see.”
Love knows Mayweather very well, as he served as one of his chief sparring partners prior to Floyd’s May 5th victory over Miguel Cotto. Since that time in camp, Love and Mayweather have grown closer, as J’Leon know calls the Mayweather Boxing Club home while also having promotional ties to the five-division champion.
In his opinion, Alvarez doesn’t match up with Mayweather in the slightest.
“Not at all,” stated Love. “Floyd is too smart, too sharp. I think it would be a lesson. I think Floyd would take the young buck to school.
“Floyd is on a different level,” Love continued. “With that being said, that would be an easy walk in the park for Floyd. Too intelligent, too everything.”
Alvarez is said to be eying a December return to the ring and will likely push for either Mayweather or Cotto next May. It remains to be seen what Mayweather’s plans are as far as his own ring return.
