The Money Team set to bounce back

By Peter Wells (@boxingsaddler):


Point to prove: Badou Jack(left) and J'Leon Love(right) ahead of Friday

Floyd Mayweather rarely experiences a tough night in the ring, but the same can't be said of the fighters contesting under his promotional banner. J'Leon Love controversially beat the often undervalued Gabriel Rosado over 10 rounds before the decision was changed to a no-contest following Love testing positive for a banned diuretic. Badou Jack had to settle for a draw with former world title challenger Marco Antonio Periban last time out. Mickey Bey was ahead on all three scorecard when he was stunned in the 10th and final round by John Molina while Ashley Theophane narrowly lost out against Pablo Cesar Cano.

It's not what you would call an easy 2013 on the promotional front for the pound-for-pound star, but he and his team can't be accused of matching his star students easy. All four of the aforementioned boxers were last matched with recent world title challengers and only Ashley Theophane 33-6-1(10) had surpassed 20 fights.

In the projected main event, J'Leon Love 15-0(8) returns to take on two time world title challenger Lajuan Simon 23-4-2(12). Simon is 34 and hasn't fought since 2011 when he was taken out inside a round by Gennady Golovkin. Prior to that December 2011 clash he hadn't fought since December 2010 when he lost a split decision to gatekeeper Dionisio Miranda, making some wonder how on earth he got a 2nd world title shot.

Simon could have rested on his laurels, but coming back to the ring only lands him as a gatekeeper himself, one that has shared the ring with 'GGG', Arthur Abraham (L UD 12) and Sebastian Sylvester (L UD 12). That is the case here as Love looks to get back on track, and he can do so with a comfortable points victory, although a stoppage win would be mighty impressive.



Last ditch: John Molina(right) denied Mickey Bey(left) a big win

Badou Jack 15-0-1(10) is in a similar fight as Love as he takes on Rogelio Medina 31-4(25) who encounters his 3rd fight in four months. Medina carries a padded record, but even that couldn't save him from two 6th round stoppage loses and another two loses in his last 3 fights. Having recently turned 30, Jack will be looking to push on with his world title aspirations, and a draw last time out put those hopes to one side for the moment. But the Swedish born fighter can rip through Medina, taking the victory inside 6 rounds.

Mickey Bey 18-1-1(9) will also contest in a 10 round fight against Venezuelan Carlos Cardenas 20-6-1(13). Cardenas' record suggest we can expect nothing less than an easy Bey win, although a stoppage victory will depend on how much Bey wishes to impress, or whether he'll remain cautious following his last gasp defeat last time out.

Former British champion Ashley Theophane has had a problem with motivational problems in the past, which cost him dear when he shockingly lost his British crown to Darren Hamilton last year. But abroad he has been in his element, even scoring easy victories over journeyman similar to Friday nights opponent Robert Osiobe 14-7-4(6). Theo' also lost out narrowly to Light Welterweight star Danny Garcia (L SD 10) while also contentiously beating Delvin Rodriguez (W MD 10).


One for the future: Luis Arias(centre) takes on advice from Love(left)

Theophane's chances of a world title tilt look to be running thin after a close defeat to Cano, but that same defeat may also help him on his way to more big fights. Evgeny Gradovich couldn't stop Osiobe but that was down at Super Featherweight. Theophane can become the first man to halt Osiobe in this Welterweight bout.

More names to look out for in the future are Luis Arias 7-0(3) and Christopher Pearson 9-0(8) who can both record wins in their respective 8 round contests.

Lanell Bellows 6-0-1(5), Cortez Bey 8-1-1(4) - Mickey's brother - and Andrew Tabiti 2-0(2) also feature on the Showtime televised card.