It has become a painful fact that a rising star?s initial televised performance has the ability to manufacture the immediate future for that fighter?s career. Reaching the echelons of Showtime or HBO is obviously a notable tally on any boxer?s resume since it is perhaps the only outlet for the casual fan. Whether it resembles the ceiling or a stepping-stone, the first televised bout for any fighter is gargantuan. It holds similarities to a highly anticipated movie premiere accompanied by the magnitude of constellational activity. Ultimately, it only happens once and it could be a groundbreaking or below par event.
For a fighter like Austin Trout, this was an opportunity where many upcoming fighters would only perform at the scale of a measly shooting star; instead, the light middleweight rising star crafted an unremitting meteor shower for the American public to gaze over.
In his Showtime debut, Trout did not shy away from delivering a breakthrough performance that would leave ?No Doubt? for those who were able to tune into the fight. On November 11, Trout dazzled the American public through a 6th round stoppage victory over Australia?s Frank LoPorto (15-4-2) to defend his WBA World light middleweight title.
The Showtime debut eventually suggested the sky as the limit for the defending champion, who threw the kitchen sink at his Aussie contender. Skillful use of the jab, short inside uppercuts, and tremendous bodywork told the tale of Trout?s arsenal on that evening. Surprisingly, the up-and-coming light middleweight was not fully satisfied with his televised introduction as he mentioned what he truly had his eye on.
?I?d give myself a B-. Overall the statement was made and I wanted to look good on TV. I really wanted to get a buzz going on Austin Trout and that was my opportunity,? admitted the New Mexico native, who had another similar goal ahead. ?I want to get on HBO. I?ll get back on Showtime as well but I feel that HBO is a sign that you?ve made it.?
The rising star carries an undefeated record of 24-0 with 14 of those victories coming by way of knockout. Trout also holds a phenomenal amateur background with 200 bouts under his belt and the U.S. National Amateur welterweight championship etched in his resume. He has certainly surpassed the prospect title and is in the process of making his transition to a superstar level.
?I have good speed, decent power, but I know how to put it all together to beat somebody,? indicated Trout regarding his fight strategy. ?If a fighter has an attribute that?s better than mine, I?ll use four of my attributes to neutralize something that he has that?s better than me. It?s my mind and my adaptability that is my biggest asset.?
Though he has not received huge televised spotlight just yet, Trout has certainly stirred up the pot in the 154-pound division. At the age of 26, he already holds a world title but still looks to add more gold to his waist.
?I?d love to face Canelo Alvarez, of course, because of that coveted green belt. If not, I would like to get in there with Delvin Rodriguez or Kirkland. Maybe that?ll earn me a fight with Canelo,? Trout revealed.
Austin Trout has already proved successful in two title defenses of the WBA World light middleweight title. While he currently holds the regular belt, Trout is the mandatory for a unification bout against the WBA Super World titleholder, Miguel Cotto.
?I?m hoping the WBA starts to talk about it. I am the mandatory and he does have to defend his belt against me. If everyone is going by the rules, he should be defending against me in the next fight,? Trout noted realistically. ?Do I believe everyone is going to follow through? I doubt it. If I don?t get the fight, then I?d be happy if I did get fights that would have people start clamoring over a Cotto-Trout fight.?
When asked about his thoughts on Cotto, Trout suggested, ?He?s not a true Junior Middleweight. He?s a welterweight. He?s a great fighter but I don?t think he can get past my jab.?
The likelihood of a fight with Miguel Cotto is certainly dwindling with the endless circulation of potential dates with Pacquiao, Mayweather, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Although Trout is in pursuit of that unification bout, he actually has a mandatory defense of his own to deal with. To advertise the possibility of that matchup, his mandatory opponent, Anthony Mundine (43-4, 25 KOs), has taken to the world of social networking to make his case but Trout certainly does not buy into his methods of trash talk.
?His whole thing is to build up a bunch of controversy. He just runs his mouth on Twitter but really Mundine does not want to fight. I?ve heard from reliable sources that he?s been looking for ways not to fight me,? Trout confirmed. ?It?s clear because he?s been calling out Chavez instead of using his mandatory position to try and get my belt. His thing is to keep barking to pretend that he?s not afraid but when I fight coming in to bite, we?ll see how loud that bark is.?
Despite the fact that he is still not scheduled for a fight in 2012, there is no doubt that the WBA light middleweight champion Austin Trout will be eying bigger fish to improve his already spectacular record.
