Former light middleweight champion, Austin ‘No Doubt’ Trout is set to return to the ring September 8th on Fox Sports 1, as part of the Premier Boxing Champions series. I had a chance to speak to Austin Trout during the latest edition of “On The Ropes” boxing radio to get his thoughts about his upcoming bout and his position in the weight class. Trout also shared his views on the Canelo vs. Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jr’s choice to fight Andre Berto. Additionally, Austin Trout gave his thoughts on Manny Pacquiao’s future and a prediction for his own fight against Joey Hernadez. Here is what Austin Trout had to say.

Jenna J: You return to the ring on September 8th against Joey Hernandez, what are you expecting from that fight?

Austin Trout: I expect pure domination. I’m going to make sure that Joey has nothing to offer, or has nothing to come back to in that fight. He’s coming to win, he’s coming to bring it. I know he ain’t slacking in camp, which is good and makes for a good fight when you got two guys in shape that want to fight and want to win. I’m excited, to say the least.

Jenna J: This fight is more or less was a tune up for yourself to get yourself prepared for a big title fight. What are the names that you’re eyeing out there? Who you looking at?

Austin Trout: Well, first of all I’m not treating this as a tune up. We’re looking at Joey because if we don’t get past Joey, nothing in the future really matters. I’m looking at this as a title fight and yeah it’s just to get the top fights, so everything is on the line for it.

After that fight there are a few prospects, a few contenders, there are a lot of names in the 154lb division that there could be good fights with. Julian Williams has been running his mouth, calling me out. My whole thing was, “get your weight up, get your rankings up and get me closer to a belt or get me paid.” I don’t think he was able to do any of that but
I think the networks will pay for that fight, and if they will, I’ll oblige them.

The Charlo’s up there in the rankings and they are highly regarded by the boxing community. I’m fighting for a few things, I want to fight for respect and for a legacy. Fighting any of those names I think gives me all the things that I’m looking for. I’m also fighting for money, don’t get me wrong.

Jenna J: You’re almost thirty years old, how do you feel about where you are in your career?

Austin Trout: I feel good about where I’m at. Thirty is when I start getting into my prime, this is the time to really make whatever is going to happen in my career happen. I got my man strength coming in, I still feel good, I feel fresh. I’m not that worn.

A lot of guys that have been fighting for as long as I have and have as much experience as I do, they can’t speak as clearly as I can, which shows that they’ve been through some wars and been through some things. I feel like I’m fresh for coming up on thirty. I’m actually excited to embrace the thirties, because it’s like Jay-Z said, “Thirty is the new twenty, baby I’m so hot still.”

Jenna J: There’s a big fight that takes place at 155lbs in November. Saul Alvarez is going to be taking on Miguel Cotto. What do you see in that fight?

Austin Trout: First of all, they’re calling it a middleweight fight, but I’m sure Cotto is coming in at 154lbs and he’s going to make Canelo come in at 150lbs or something like that. As a fan, I’m very excited for this fight. This a great style match up that is going to be very fan friendly.

I think the younger legs, the speed and power are with Canelo but we have Cotto who has looked great in his last few outings, experience goes to Cotto’s side. I think if Cotto can keep it close and takes him to the later rounds, I think he has a good chance of winning. If I was going to put my money on it, I’d put it on Canelo.

Jenna J: Another fight I want to get your views on is Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux. That’s a big fight for the middleweight division, what do you think about that one?

Austin Trout: Lemieux and Golovkin, they both can punch. Lemieux, every punch he throws you can hear the thunder on it. And Golovkin, we already know his resume, he’s a KO artist. It’s gonna be a fireworks fight, but looking at Lemieux from the loss that he had, Golovkin knocked out Rubio and I believe Rubio knocked out Lemieux.

I think it’s a good set up for ‘GGG’ to get the win, but don’t sleep on David Lemieux, I think he’s tightened up a lot of things since his loss. Really what it’s going to come down to is who has the better chin.

Jenna J: Floyd Mayweather is going to be taking on Andre Berto on September 12th. What do you think of that fight and how much of a step down is it from Mayweather vs. Pacquiao?

Austin Trout: To be honest, Berto might give him a better fight than Pacquiao because Pacquiao looked gun shy, he didn’t want to fight, he looked like he didn’t want to be there. Mayweather’s fought all the names in the game — not necessarily in their prime, but definitely fought all the names in the name. Berto is the fight that’s gonna happen.

Jenna J: What do you think is gonna happen with Manny Pacquiao? What type of opponent do you think they’re going to put him in the ring with next year?

Austin Trout: Probably a safe one. He’s supposedly hurt, so I would think that he’s gonna come back with a safe fight to try to get back in the swing of things. He may take a risk and try to fight Khan, because I know Khan’s just sitting there waiting for somebody to let him get a big fight.

Jenna J: Let’s go back to your next fight with Joey Hernandez. What do expect to happen in that one?

Austin Trout: My hand is gonna be raised, whether he can take the ass whooping for ten rounds or for two rounds, it doesn’t matter. My hands will be raised at the end of the day.

Jenna J: How much would it mean to you to regain a world title belt and become a champion once again?

Austin Trout: It would mean the world. I title myself former and future champion, so I gotta make that come true.

Jenna J: Is there any message you want to pass along to all your fans?

Austin Trout: Keep rocking with me, I’m out here working hard. I’m coming back in September, trying to reclaim my throne.