Ringside Boxing Report: J’Leon Love had something to prove, but so did Gabriel Rosado
Ringside Boxing Report: J’Leon Love had something to prove, but so did Gabriel Rosado By John J. Raspanti at ringside for Doghouse Boxing (May 4, 2013) TweetFollow @DoghouseBoxing
By John J. Raspanti at Ringside in at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for Doghouse Boxing.
In the end, it was the fresher J'Leon Love, 16-0 (8), a heavily promoted prospect from Michigan, who delivered on his promise by edging Gabriel Rosado, 21-7 (13), by split decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Judges Herb Santos and Dave Moretti had Love winning by scores of 97-92 and 95-94. The remaining judge, Glenn Trowbridge, saw the fight for Rosado, 95-94.
The bout got off to a slow start in the opening stanza. Love, with a reach advantage of five inches, tried to establish his jab. Rosado was content with analyzing his opponent and picked up the pace in the last 30 seconds of the round but his punches were mostly short.
In rounds two and three, Love flashed some combinations. Rosado was bothered by the speed of Love, who was also using his shoulders to keep Rosado off balance. A few boos were heard as the grudge match resembled more of a chess match. Rosado connected with a right that didn’t bother Love.
In round four, the battle of the left hands continued. Love found some success late in the round with a left to the body and right to the head. Rosado tried to create more pressure but Love used the ring to counteract his opponent. Round five highlighted the difference in speed as Love avoided most of Rosado’s shots while countering with his own combinations. Near the end of round six, a Rosado right put Love on the seat of his pants. The 25-year-old got up quickly and motioned at Rosado.
Rosado tattooed Love again with his right in round seven. Love boxed effectively for most of the round and in rounds eight and nine, he worked the inside. His sharp punches clocked Rosado, who kept shooting and landing his right hand. The fighters traded shots in the last 30 seconds of both rounds and Rosado rocked Love with a lead right. He followed up with a left hook that knocked Love back into the ropes.
In round 10, both boxers ran into punches. Rosado landed an inside uppercut and Love tried to box but Rosado kept finding him. Ultimately, Love connected with a right in the last few seconds of the final round.
“Rosado is a great fighter,” said Love in the ring after the fight.
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