Austin Trout: “You’re gonna see a sharpened up Trout, like I was when I was fighting Cotto, a real hungry Trout”

Many fighters in boxing face setbacks in their career and for some it can mean the imminent end of their run at the highest level, for other it’s a wake up call which they use to come back stronger. Austin Trout is on his comeback trail following the two consecutive losses he suffered in 2013, and has his mind set on reaching the top once more.

In part 2 of my interview with former WBA light middleweight champion, Austin ‘No Doubt’ Trout, I get his views on the 154lb division and its biggest star, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Trout shares his views on Mayweather electing to defend both his welterweight and light middleweight title when he faces Marcos Maidana in September. ‘No Doubt’ also speaks about the fight between current WBO welterweight champ, Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri. Finally, Austin tells the fans what they can expect from him as he prepares to return to the ring this Friday night. Here is what Austin Trout had to say.

Jenna J: What do you think of the 154lb division right now as a whole?

Austin Trout: It’s a wonderful division. There is so much talent, look at the title holders and also look at the non title holders. You got the Charlo twins, you got Vanes Martirosyan trying to make noise, myself, you got Carlos Molina. There’s a lot of names out there and there’s a lot of things to be done at 154lbs.

Jenna J: On September 13th, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is defending the WBC light middleweight belt and also his welterweight belt when he faces Marcos Maidana. What do you think about him defending both titles in one fight?

Austin Trout: That’s awesome because that means there is more on the line, and that means that they’re gonna be fighting a lot harder. Shout out to Mayweather for making the rematch because everyone was thinking that he lost the fight — I didn’t think he lost the fight — but he’s going to shut his naysayers up and I got to respect it.

Jenna J: What do you think is going to happen in that rematch? How do you think it’s going to play out?

Austin Trout: I think it’s gonna to be worse for Maidana this time. Mayweather is way too smart, to you know have one look at you and then pretty much that’s all he needed. I think he is gonna dismantle him Maidana a lot easier than he did last time.

Jenna J: When you look at Floyd, how do you think is the best way to beat him? Everyone has tried different things; they’ve tried to box him, they’ve tried to be dirty with him. How do you beat him?

Austin Trout: In a sense, the way Maidana did it the first time, the way De La Hoya did it the first six rounds of his fight, the way Jose Luis Castillo did it. You just got to work and beat his ass. You got to rough him up pretty good, you know what I mean? I think that’s how you got to do it, I think that’s the blueprint.

De La Hoya did have the blueprint when he fought him, it’s just that he stopped jabbing after the sixth round, which is why he got dismantled after that. Miguel Cotto, he gave him one hell of a fight and that’s because he took him into the corner and roughed him up and didn’t let him go. If he was able to that all 12 rounds, he could have took that fight.

Jenna J: Some people say the style that actually beats Floyd Mayweather comes from another fighter out there who fights aggressively, that being Manny Pacquiao. Do you think Pacquiao could have the style to beat Floyd?

Austin Trout: Yes he did, and he does. I believe that maybe a year ago, one or two years ago, Manny Pacquiao would have beaten Floyd, but I don’t see that happening now.

Jenna J: What’s the main reason you don’t see that happening now?

Austin Trout: Because Manny is not the same fighter he was a year ago. A year ago, I think he definitely could have given Floyd his first loss, but he’s slowed down a bit and he’s lost a step a or two. You got to be on your A game, firing on all cylinders, if you’re gonna beat Floyd.

Jenna J: There’s also people saying Pacquiao’s lost his power punch, and that he doesn’t quite pack the same shot that he used too. Do you see that?

Austin Trout: Well, seeing that he came from 118lbs, I guess that depends on your perspective. He’s still stronger than he was then, but not as strong as he was year ago.

Jenna J: Pacquiao is taking on Chris Algieri, some people are saying this is not a worthy fight. How do you see that fight?

Austin Trout: I don’t want to talk down to Chris Algieri because they said that about him and Provodnikov and he ended up coming back and beating Provodnikov, and I’m glad they didn’t rob him for that either.

We just have to see how that goes, you know. Algieri is a good boxer, but will he be able to outbox Manny Pacquiao? I don’t personally think so, but again, I didn’t think he was gonna be able to outbox Provodnikov like he did.

Jenna J: Austin, lets try to think back to yourself and the fight you will be having on August 22nd. What can fans expect from Austin ‘No Doubt’ Trout in this fight?

Austin Trout: You’re gonna see a sharpened up Trout, like I was when I was fighting Cotto and when I was fighting back in Mexico, a real hungry Trout. We’re gonna do whatever it takes to win, so if something’s not working, we’ll figure out.

Jenna J: With the fight you have coming up, how far away do you see yourself being away from a title shot?

Austin Trout: I think maybe two fights. Two fights and I should be right there in the mix to get a title shot.

Jenna J: With the fight coming up on the 22nd, what is your official prediction?

Austin Trout: I can’t tell you how my hands will be raised, but my hands will be raised at the end of the day. It really all depends on him. If he can take it for the 12 rounds, then God bless him, it’s gonna be a long night for him, if he can’t, we will go home early and get on to the next one.