“Doctor” Prescribes Tough Love for Bodog Fight’s Paradise Lost
If you have seen Michael Moore’s scathing 1989 documentary Roger & Me, the environment in which Indiana’s David Love grew up will seem familiar. Before gaining notoriety as a mixed martial arts athlete, Love spent the early 1980’s roaming the bleak streets of Marion, Indiana. Much like the Flint, Michigan depicted in Moore’s film, Marion’s working class had been devastated by corporate America’s mass exodus south of the border.
“I started stealing at age eleven,” recalls the 32-year-old Love. “I remember coming downstairs on Christmas Day and finding nothing under our tree. I thought to myself, ‘This is never going to happen to me again.’”
It wasn’t long before his larcenous behaviour got him arrested, and with no attorney in his corner Love was sentenced to 14 years in a state penitentiary.
Love would serve seven and a half years behind bars, but used this time to better himself both mentally and physically. He earned a high school diploma as well as an associate’s degree, while also excelling at institutional activities such as boxing, weight training and grappling. Upon his early release from prison, Love began looking to forge a career as a professional fighter.
Enter current manager, Chad Wagoner.
“I met David at a small show I promoted,” recalls Wagoner. “He had just got out of prison and was eager to change what and who he was. I watched as he emerged victorious in one of the most grueling amateur fights I have ever seen. I knew he had something, so I literally followed him from show to show, bothering him until he came to my gym and started training with me. I told him he could be the best 145-pound fighter in the world. ‘You really think I can do something with this?’ he asked. ‘Yes David, you really can do something with this,’ I replied.”
Love was undoubtedly agile, quick and strong for his size. In fact, a Florida Boxing Commissioner once told him to expect hand injuries due to his incredible striking power and small bone structure.
Adopting the nickname “Doctor Love” from a favorite old Kiss song, the lightweight sensation made his pro debut at Freestyle Combat Challenge 12 in 2003. It didn’t go as planned, as Love was beaten soundly by journeyman Ryan Ackerman.
“The Doctor” would go on to drop four of his first five fights - a record not indicative of his undeniable talent.
With the determination to persevere, Love eventually rebounded. Now 13-6-1, “The Doctor” prepares to take on 34-year-old Shoot-boxer Atsuhiro Tsuboi (5-8-1) of Japan in the next episode of Bodog Fight: Paradise Lost this Tuesday, July 31st at 11 p.m. / 10 p.m. Central on ION television and in Canada on The Fight Network.
Also on this episode; a middleweight bout between 29-year-old Russian, Andrei Semenov (25-8-2) and 37-year-old Englishman, Matt Ewin (17-8-1), plus a bonus heavyweight fight pitting undefeated Mario “The Big Hurt” Rinaldi (5-0) of Florida against Nevada’s Roy “Big Country” Nelson (6-1).
Can’t catch the action on ION (or The Fight Network in Canada)? All episodes of the Bodog Fight series are available worldwide through streaming video at BodogFight.com, with behind-the-scenes exclusives, fighter bios and additional footage only available online.
About Bodog Fight
Since its inception in 2006, Bodog Fight has become one of the heavy-hitters in the world of mixed martial arts. Created by billionaire entertainment mogul and longtime MMA enthusiast, Calvin Ayre, Bodog Fight offers viewers a unique combination of action and allure from exotic locations throughout the world. Bodog Fight can be viewed in more than 90 million homes across the United States on ION Television and around the world on Bodog.TV. Some of Bodog Television’s other programs include: a poker lifestyle and reality show, Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker I and II; and a million-dollar indie band search competition, Bodog Battle (BodogBattle.com). For more information, contact Media Relations at 1-866-892-3371, or press@bodog.tv . BODOG is a registered trademark of Bodog Entertainment Group.
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