J’Leon Love Beats Derrick Findley in Detroit

J’Leon Love took on Derrick Findley, in the TV opener on Showtime, which unfolded in Detroit at the Masonic Temple, and got the UD10 win, showing viewers that while he doesn’t scream future star right now, he has some solid building blocks to refine.

Love, signed to Al Haymon and Floyd Mayweather Promotions, won by scores of 100-90, 99-91, 99-91.

Love enjoyed the presence of Floyd in his corner. Roger Mayweather, who Al Bernstein explained was “ill” and couldn’t make it, is his regular trainer.

Golden Boy promoted the event along with Mayweather Promotions.

In round one, Love looked light on his feet. He’s an active defender, hard to get a bead on. Muscle-y Findley came forward in the second, but without much inventiveness. Love went low and got warned. In the third, Love used a long jab, but wasn’t able to keep Findley at bay the whole time. Mayweather, in the corner, told Love to keep hitting the body even though the ref warned him for going low. In round four, Love started to unload. He wanted to be the first to send Findley down. His right eye started to swell and he did well to keep on his feet. A right exploded on his jaw with 12 seconds to go.

In round five, Findley tried to come out strong to switch the momentum. A left hook landed sharp and clean. He bulled Love to a corner and tossed, but Love stayed cool. In round six, Findley kept on rabbit punching, and was warned. Love stopped moving and got caught in corners too much by this time.

In round seven, Findley again came out and got in Love’s face. In the eighth, Love landed a sharp right and the crowd liked it. He worked to the body some and Floyd in between rounds said he liked it. In round nine, the right to the body by Love scored well. “Keep workin, baby,” Floyd told him after. Findley was still rumbling in the tenth, and he by all means earned every dime he was paid. They went to the cards.

Findley (20-8 entering; from Indiana) subbed in for Bronco McKart, who hurt his ribs a few weeks ago. Love, born in Michigan, living in Vegas, entered with a 14-0 record.

The middleweights gained up weight to the light heavyweight limit.