Austin Trout: “I think Floyd Mayweather realizes he’s slowing down and one of these young boys is gonna get him!”

Former WBA junior middleweight champion Austin ‘No Doubt’ Trout has his eyes set on winning back a championship belt and also the intention of reversing his past losses. Austin’s only two defeats have come at the hands of Saul Alvarez and Erislandy Lara, and he holds a win over the the reigning middleweight champion of the world, Miguel Cotto. With 2015 coming to a close, Trout hopes his latest win leads to another big opportunity.

In this “On The Ropes” boxing radio interview with Austin Trout, I discuss with him his recent victory and what direction he would like to go next. Trout also shares his views on Canelo vs. Cotto and Floyd Mayweather’s future. Additionally I get his thoughts on his career to this point and if he thinks his best is yet to come. Here is what Austin Trout had to say.

Jenna J: You recently fought Joey Hernandez and you won by knockout. Can you talk a little about your performance?

Austin Trout: First I want to thank God for the opportunity to showcase the skills he’s blessed me with. I’m just happy to be able to do what I love to do. The victory is definitely warranted in good fashion, but I needed that. I’d like to get the top names in the junior middleweight weight class.

Jenna J: Joey Hernandez didn’t make weight, then he came in almost twenty pounds heavier on fight night. In the fourth round he threw you down. Can you talk about the obstacles you had to deal with?

Austin Trout: I think the wrestling was just an act of desperation, it really made my confidence grow seeing that he was resorting to desperate measures.

Jenna J: Did you feel any weight difference or was it to your advantage that he was overweight?

Austin Trout: Yeah I think it was to my advantage. When you swell up that fast, you’re gonna be sluggish and lethargic.

Jenna J: You targeted the body a lot, was that because he missed weight or was that a game plan coming in?

Austin Trout: That was a game plan coming in, and I had a dream that the body was the key for a stoppage. I think God was just telling me a game plan. A game plan sent from heaven.

Jenna J: How important was it for you to score that knockout?

Austin Trout: I think it was a necessity. I didn’t want to look for the knockout or go for it because that’s when it never comes, but I needed that. It wouldn’t have meant as much if it went the distance.

Jenna J: After this win, do you think a title fight is next for you?

Austin Trout: We’ll talk with Al Haymon and see what he has to say, but there’s a lot of undefeated champs out there. I’m very world title minded and very rematch minded, so we got Lara in the mix. I don’t know, we’ll see, there are a lot of names.

Jenna J: You fought both Saul Alvarez and Miguel Cotto and they are set to meet up now in November. Who are you picking to win that one?

Austin Trout: I’m taking Canelo but I’m rooting for Cotto. I think Cotto has been through it — I’m not saying he’s old or washed up, but he has more miles than Canelo and that’s because he’s fought the best already, but he does seem to have a new pair of legs under him. I think it’s gonna be exciting, I think he can win, I think he has a chance of winning if he makes it to the later rounds where Canelo has been known to gas.

Jenna J: Why do you want Cotto to win?

Austin Trout: Just as a fan, I’ve watched Cotto throughout the years and you can’t really be a fan of boxing if you’re not a fan of Cotto. The same can be said for Alvarez, but as a fan I’ve been watching Cotto longer.

Jenna J: How good does it make you feel that you have a win over Miguel Cotto since he’s had so much success after your fight?

Austin Trout: It’s definitely a humbling and blessed experience to have that kind of a resume.

Jenna J: Mayweather just had his 49th win over Andre Berto, do you think this was really his last fight?

Austin Trout: Yeah I do. Everyone says they don’t believe it but I do. I think he realizes he’s slowing down and one of these young boys are gonna get him.

Jenna J: So you don’t think there’s any chance that he goes for 50-0?

Austin Trout: There is a chance, but who knows. He may be retiring just to get out of the Showtime contract and then come back and fight for PBC, who knows.

Jenna J: Back to you, you’re going to be turning 30 years old soon. How do you feel about what you’ve done in your career to this age?

Austin Trout: Well I guess I could have done more, but I still feel like I have so much more to give. I’m very proud of my career, we just gotta continue to keep pushing.

Jenna J: Do you think we’re gonna see the best of what you have in your career after the age of 30?

Austin Trout: I think so, I’m just getting into my physical prime, so I do think the best is yet to come.

Jenna J: How soon do you think you’ll be holding another title belt?

Austin Trout: I hope within the next fight, and if not the next fight, then within two fights for sure.