Q & A with Austin “No Doubt” Trout!

Q & A with Austin “No Doubt” Trout!

By Ken Hissner, Doghouse Boxing (Feb 5, 2011)
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The WBA’s No. 1 super welterweight contender has waited 15 long months for the dream of winning the title that is finally scheduled this Saturday. No. 1 contender Austin ”No Doubt” Trout, 21-0 (13), of Las Cruces, New Mexico has been very patient and hopes to show the same patience until the opportunity of the knockout comes in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEX, against the interim champion Rigoberto “El Espanol” Alvarez, 26-2 (19) for the vacant WBA title.

Alvarez has only made 154 once. That was in winning the interim title last October by split decision over Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan. He’s held the Mexican middleweight and super middleweight titles while losing in challenges for the WBF super middleweight title and the WBC Latino middleweight title. His last loss was for the Latino title losing to Marco Antonio Rubio in January of 2010.

Austin’s last bout was defeating Taronze Washington over 12 rounds for the WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title in November of 2009. He was 5-0 in 2009 first winning the vacant WBA Continental Americas light middleweight title stopping Martin Avila in Mexico. In September he traveled to Panama to defeat Nilson Julio Tapia by decision for the WBA Fedelatin light middleweight title. Trout knows what it means to travel out of the US and go into a foreign country and come home victorious.

The champion will have a one inch height advantage but the 25 year old challenger is 8 years the younger and a southpaw on top of that. For Trout, 11 of his 21 opponents have come from Latino countries. For Alvarez 26 of his 28 fights has been with fellow Latino’s. Only 1 time has Alvarez ever fought out of Mexico and that was in South Africa in 2009. He won his first 22 bouts.

Bob Spagnola has done a masterful job in guiding Trout to the No. 1 spot. While with HBA out of Houston he guided Frank Tate and Calvin Grove to world championships. This will be an interesting bout. Will it be Trout by knockout or Alvarez by decision? Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. is the No. 2 ranked contender awaiting the winner.

The fight supervisor is Francisco Hill Pina (Colombia). The referee will be Luis Pabon. The 3 judge’s are Raul Daiz, Sr. (US), Stanley Christodoulou (RSA) and Hubert Earle (Canada).

This writer’s choice would be Trout by stoppage within 10 rounds. Knowing the environment he doesn’t want to leave it in the hands of the judge’s. After a couple rounds of getting the rust out Trout will keep Alvarez moving. Being a natural middleweight Alvarez will be looking for a quick ending and if it doesn’t come may lay back hoping to get a hometown decision. Following is Q&A for Saturday.

KEN HISSNER: Any problems making weight being off 13 months?

AUSTIN TROUT: No, I have no problems making weight. I have stayed in the gym during my layoff and have been to some elite camps through the year.

KEN HISSNER: Almost 2 years ago you won the WBA Americas title in Mexico. How were the fans?

AUSTIN TROUT: The fans were passionate about boxing and even though they weren’t particularly cheering for me, they still respected and loved me for being a fighter. Midway through the fight I had won them over. I definitely like fighting in Mexico and look forward to fight here again.

KEN HISSNER: The longest period without a bout for you has been 6 months. How have you managed this layoff?

AUSTIN TROUT: I have been trusting in God and know that He has a specific plan for me. Even if that means not fighting for a year I know He does everything for my good. With that I also stayed busy in the gym and have what I need to do to be prepared in case my opportunity has come. I’m grateful for the layoff. I feel I have grown as a fighter and as a man. I have learned patience which has given me a bigger lesson in life.

KEN HISSNER: Do you think fighting the interim champ for the vacant title might make the wait worth while?

AUSTIN TROUT: Most definitely! It proves to me that it was meant to be, that it was God’s plan all along.

KEN HISSNER: The winner of this fight may fight Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., amounting to a great payday. Is that in the back of your mind?

AUSTIN TROUT: Yes it is. With this title a lot of great opportunities will open up, but my mind is focused at the task at hand. Nothing will happen unless I win the belt first.

KEN HISSNER: How much do you think your manager Bob Spagnola has done on his part helping you to get to be the No. 1 contender?

AUSTIN TROUT: As a manager Bob has done a great job. We haven’t had any promotional backing until recently, after the fact we were number one. So for Bob to be able to get me on the right cards in front of the right people who do influence the ratings, he has done a great job.

KEN HISSNER: Are there any predictions on your part?

AUSTIN TROUT: I feel I am going to get a late knockout. I predict the 10th round KO.

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