by Geoffrey Ciani – Late last week I was afforded the chance to have a nice chat with undefeated junior middleweight contender Austin “No Doubt” Trout. Here is what he had to say:
Q: In your last fight you pitched a shutout against Taronze Washington where all three judges scored the fight 120-108. Can you tell us a little about this dominant performance?
A: It was a good performance on my part I think. I did try to go for the knockout but he was on survive mode after like the sixth round and when they don’t give you much to work with, to put something up, he was very defensive. I stalked him, walked him down, and I felt as though it was a good performance. I was sharp and slick, and I was hitting him pretty hard..
Audio:
Q: So far you have a perfect record with 21 wins in 21 fights with 13 wins coming by way of knockout. What steps do you think you need to take in order to become a better known name amongst boxing fans?
A: Just fight other known names, it’s as simple as that. I need exposure with getting on some TV, because I think I’m boxing’s best kept secret right now.
Q: Now you currently campaign in the talented rich 154 pound weight class. What is your opinion on the current landscape of that division?
A: It’s full of talent. I’m happy to be in this weight class because whenever I do beat all of these guys, there’s not going to be no question of, “Oh, well, you know, he’s not the best, he’s only fought this guy or that guy”. They’re going to say, “Yeah, he took out the best in that weight class who are some of the best in boxing right now”. So I’m happy that I got that talent as my opposition.
Q: Are there any fighters out there in particular whom you’d most like to fight?
A: Yeah, I’d like to fight (Alfredo) Angulo. I mean it’s too bad (James) Kirkland has had his mishap, because I would love to get in there with him. A good friend of mine, Vanes (Martirosyan), we had a nice little rivalry in the amateurs. I’d like to continue that in the pros. Kermit Cintron, I’d like to fight him as well. He has a nice little win over Angulo and that would be a great name under my belt, and hell, Fernando Vargas is trying to come back in my weight class. That would be a great name to put under my belt, as well. And of course the son, (Hector) Camacho Junior, that would be a good little stepping stone to take out right away. Like in boxing it’s a business, so if the money is right that will determine whether the fights going to happen or if they’ll even give me a shot.
Q: When can we expect to see you back inside the ring?
A: The end of January I’m supposed to be offered a fight in Vegas. Actually, we’re trying to see who wins between (Daniel) Santos and Yuri Foreman so that way I can try and get one of them in the ring and take the belt away, whoever has it, take their belt.
Q: So is getting a title shot something that you hope will happen in this upcoming year in 2010?
A: Oh, most definitely! You got to look at it realistically, though. I’m right now number two in the WBA. After Saturday, I should be number one so a title shot should be within my grasp, but politics is involved and they could overlook me, but God’s got a plan for me. I think he put me here to get my title, so politics or not, God’s on my side in my corner. There’s no way I’m not going to get my title shot.
Q: Austin, you’re trained by Louie Burke and I was just wondering what are some of the things he’s been able to teach you to help improve your game inside the ring?
A: We work on defense, good movement. He’s been there, he took a lot of shots, but he doesn’t want me going that route even though all my career I’ve been slick in trying not to get hit. We are working on some speed, power, do a lot of plyos to try and get that extra pop. You know, we don’t want to just be on the defensive, if we have to attack somebody or go after somebody, we can do it. If we can sit there and bang, if we need to, we can do that as well. We work for everything.
Q: Austin, when did you first become interested in boxing?
A: Since a wee-child, since I was about five or six. I remember my mother would throw little fight parties for all the big fights. Back then, I think it was Holyfield and Tyson that was on top, and we used to watch from the big heavyweights to even like Chavez, Julio Cesar, and Pernell Whitaker and all these guys. So I’ve been interested since I was five. I didn’t start boxing until I was actually ten, but it’s always been in my blood.
Q: You surprised everyone at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials when you made it to the finals and were ultimately chosen as an alternate. Can you tell us a little bit about that experience?
A: Yeah, I came out of nowhere. I remember listening to some of the guys looking at the schedule, “I’m fighting Austin Trout. Who is Austin Trout? From New Mexico? Man, I got this. Blah, blah, blah.” I just fed off of that, that they doubted my abilities and I just came out and shocked them, which I feel like I’m going to have to do in the pros as well. “Who is Austin Trout? Where is this guy coming from? I doubt him. I doubt he’s any good, this and that.” I’m just going to have to come in out of left field and shock everybody.
Q: Who were some of the boxers, both past and present, who you admire the most?
A: Sugar Ray Leonard, of course the GOAT, Ali, Marvin Hagler. I like a lot of the old guys. Roberto Duran, I love how the guy could stand right inside and still make you miss and bang you out. And now, I mean, Manny Pacquiao—that’s a little warrior. Cotto. The great Sugar Shane Mosley, and he’s got a new set of wheels beating Antonio Margarito, and the guy Margarito himself. He’s another warrior that I like watching fight. Holyfield back in his prime, the list goes on and on. I’d say my all time favorite would be Sugar Ray Leonard.
Q: Austin, you’re 24 years old. What would you ultimately like to accomplish in the sport of boxing?
A: I think I have the same goals as everybody who’s in the sport—and if they don’t have the goals like mine, than they shouldn’t be in there—and that’s to be the undefeated, undisputed champion of the world. And hell, I’d like to conquer three different weight classes while I’m at it. To just go down as a legend in the game, so people later on can look up and say, “Austin Trout from little Las Cruces, New Mexico was the best to be in there. He had heart, he had talent, he can give and take whatever he had to”. That would be my ultimate goal, to be a legend.
Q: Now you mentioned that youd’ be interested in possibly cleaning out three different weight classes. I guess this is a safe indicator that you do intend to move up at some point during your career to the middleweight division?
A: Well, I make weight pretty good and I feel strong at my weight, but after I’m done at 154 I’m going to have to go do something else. I’m going to, like I said, try and do like what Manny Pacquiao is doing right now and establish his legacy. He’s going up and fighting everybody. Paul Williams as well, he’s one of the most, I guess you could say underrated just going up in weight to get the fights he wouldn’t be able to make at 147.
Q: What are some of your short term goals coming up this year in 2010?
A: God willing, to get that title fight. If not, I’m just keep doing what I’ve doing and that’s going everywhere and beating everybody put in front of me. Definitely get exposure and get some TV fights, and get some no-names under my belt, you know, some of those stepping stones. That would be the immediate future. If they don’t want to give me my title fight, then I’m just going to have to go ahead and work to make the public demand it, and I don’t have a promoter or anything like that so everything we do, we do it ourselves.
Q: Austin, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you. I was wondering before I let you go, if there’s anything else you want to say to all the fans out at East Side Boxing?
A: Yeah, keep your eye out. Keep your ears open and your eyes peeled, because one way or another I’m coming and I’m going to be in everybody’s mouth—Austin “No Doubt” Trout. And I’d like to thank God for the opportunity for being here and you all just keep your eyes open and look forward to an exciting year.
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I would like to thank Austin Trout for his time and wish him the very best of luck in his career.
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To contact Ciani:
ciani@boxing247.com
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