By Luis Sandoval
Having unknown champions in boxing is nothing new and actually fairly common.
Most often, it’s an international fighter who resorts to fighting in his hometown where he has a strong local following. Sheltered away, he somehow manages to get a world title and holds it hostage unwilling to come to the United States to fight those that covet it.
WBA 154 lb champion Austin Trout is a rarity, an American who is probably better known in other countries than his own. Five of his last seven fights have come on foreign soil.
His nomad approach might seem risky as he’s made a living out of going into other fighters’ backyard to beat them. Things have worked so far, as evidenced by his still undefeated record heading into a rare homecoming this weekend when he faces Australian contender Frank LoPorto in his birth town of El Paso, Texas. The bout will air live on Showtime’s Shobox series, marking his debut on U.S. television.
That he is a mystery to those in the U.S. who have not yet seen him fight could work to his advantage, tempting curious viewers to tune in for a long overdue glimpse. Many will be introduced to Trout for the first time this weekend and he clearly understands the importance of first impressions.
“I want to look phenomenal” said Trout. “I feel not only do I need to beat [LoPorto], I need to beat him in good fashion. This is my US television debut and a lot of people are going to be watching to either criticize or glorify me. I want to make sure the critics have nothing to criticize and the people who want to glorify me have everything to glorify me about.”
Born in El Paso, Texas but raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Trout has had a love for the sport since the very beginning. He took up the sport at the age of 10 and remembers when his mother, who was also a big fan of the sport, would order all the big fights.
“I can remember just being fascinated by these guys with the shiny red gloves and making that ‘hsst, hsst!’ sound. At first I thought the gloves made the noise. As soon as they punched, it’s like the air compressed out or something” said Trout as he laughed a bit.
After he begged his mother to take him to one of the local gyms, he immediately loved it and stuck with it and would later embark on his amateur career. He was a 2004 US National Amateur champion and was one win away from being on the 2004 Athens Boxing Olympics team.
Trout recently won his title earlier this year against Rigoberto Alvarez (Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s brother) in his hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico. Even though he has a world title now, Trout still believes that won’t be enough to lure the bigger names to fight him. He understands he needs to establish himself first and being on network TV is the perfect way to make him familiar to the masses.
That doesn’t mean Trout doesn’t feel he’s ready or won’t try to make the fights with the big names. One fighter in particular he is targeting is Miguel Cotto who happens to hold the WBA “Super” 154 lb. title. Apparently Cotto’s belt is regarded as “super” while Austin’s is considered “regular,” a status of which he is none too fond.
“They call it the regular belt which I really can’t stand. I really hate that they call my belt regular” explains Trout. “It’s not an interim belt, it’s a world title. Nobody’s fought for that super title that Cotto has. That’s one of the reasons I definitely want to get Cotto or whoever wins, Margarito or Cotto, so they can stop calling my belt regular.”
Trout is in good enough company at the 154lb division to where there are still plenty of options in the absence of a showdown with Cotto or Margarito. One fighter who has not only called out Trout but has also already shared the ring with him is Vanes Martirosyan. They fought in the amateurs and there’s a reason why Trout remembers him so well.
“I remember fighting him in the amateurs. I mean, how could I forget? He took my Olympic spot” said Trout as he remembers losing to Martirosyan in the Olympic box-off back in 2004. “That’s something that I do want to get back at Vanes. And he knows that. I’ll give him his shot in due time.”
Martirosyan, who has had a tough time getting a big fight at 154, might have some luck in landing a fight with Trout. Their rivalry isn’t a bitter one however. In fact, Trout actually says he likes his former amateur adversary but that won’t come into play if they should ever meet.
The fight may not come as soon as Martirosyan would want. Trout has a mandatory challenger in Anthony Mundine and himself is next in line for a crack at next month’s rematch between Cotto and Margarioto.
Trout has high aspirations of hopefully making a big fight soon. Also of interest to the undefeated American are fights against Saul Alvarez and James Kirkland, the latter having just knocked out Alfredo Angulo in a fire fight last weekend.
First, he has to take care of LoPorto. While many might dismiss his opponent, Trout reassures he’s not taking him lightly.
“People call [this fight] a tune up but I don’t see like that at all” explains the New Mexico native. “This is his shot. He’s not coming for a check; he’s coming for my belt. Whether you want to write him off as a tune up, I’m taking him as if he has the belt and I’m trying to take it away from him.”
This fight will be the second title defense for the southpaw, having topped the rugged David Lopez earlier this summer on the road in Mexico. Trout expects his opponent to be tough but is just as prepared to box for 12 rounds as he is to go to war for however long it takes to win.
“I’m going to have to do a little bit of both. I don’t think I can just box him for 12 rounds” said Trout. “If I want to make a statement I’m going to have to get in there and dig into him. I don’t just hit and run, that’s for the amateurs. I can bang too.”
There is certainly a lot at stake in this weekend’s title fight showcase. It’s refreshing to see a guy take the road less traveled and get rewarded by winning a world championship.
Now let’s see if he can take the next step in his career as he tries to become more known in the states and land a big fight. His journey begins this Friday.
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to Boxingscene’s official audio show The Boxing Lab every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.
