Unbeaten Jermall “Hitman” Charlo (23-0, 18 KOs) puts his 154-pound IBF world title on the line against former world champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (30-2, 17 KOs) this Saturday, May 21, at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The bout will air live on Showtime as part of a championship triple header starting at 9:00 pm, EST.
Round By Round Boxing recently caught up with Trout to discuss his training camp, the opportunity to regain a world title and what fans can expect to see as he takes on the undefeated Charlo.
Trout is a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico but is preparing for this fight in Washington, DC under the coaching tutelage of trainer Barry Hunter.
“Camp is good, I am working hard,” said Trout. “This is my time to shine, this is my opportunity to get back on top, and I can’t leave anything to chance or to regret. So I am taking every step (and) every precaution that I need to take to make sure that I am victorious.”
Hunter trains his fighters out of Southeast DC’s Headbangers Gym, best known for its hardworking brother-duo; Lamont and Anthony Peterson.
When asked about Headbangers, Trout explained the environment and level of work at gym.
[otw_shortcode_quote border=”bordered” border_style=”bordered”]The environment is crazy; it is a great comradery,” said Trout. “Everyone there is very supportive, but at the same time, everyone there is going to push you because they are pushing themselves. I am not going to let the guy next to me out do me, so, I am going to go ahead and beat him. In that sense I end up having to beat myself to beat the next guy. – Austin Trout[/otw_shortcode_quote]
When asked what Hunter has brought to his career, Trout explains how he is being pushed to succeed.
“What Barry Hunter does is he brings the best out of you and he doesn’t settle for nothing less,” said Trout. “There are times when he sees me not in a sense slacking, but not giving my all, and he’ll be on the sideline just mad as hell. He makes sure that you bring nothing but your best because settling for anything less is unacceptable in that gym.”
Trout lost his WBA title and his first fight at the same time in 2013, losing a unanimous decision to now, pound-for-pound superstar, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
Since that time No Doubt has fought hard to reclaim a world title, and explained that he has new prospective on being a world champion.
“I have a different drive and I have a different respect for being at that top spot,” said Trout.
“There is a saying; ‘It’s hard to get to the top spot, but it’s even harder to stay there’ and that is beyond true,” said Trout.
“So now I have new respect for being on top and staying on top. It has definitely driven me to keep going. I have been speaking it in to existence, I can remember when they would call me former (world champion), I would say, ‘and future!’ And now that I have spoken it into existence, it’s coming (and) it’s my opportunity, I have to take it with both hands and just yank it.”
Trout knows that although Charlo’s resume doesn’t compare to his, the IBF champion still poses a challenge and he cannot be taken lightly.
“My mindset is we are preparing for the best Charlo. So we are not looking at his lack of experience as being a factor, we want to be prepared for the best Charlo that is possible. Not to mention that he spars with one of the best fighters in the world, that is Erislandy Lara,” said Trout.
Trout himself previously lost a unanimous decision to Lara in late 2013, so he’s well aware of the level of work Charlo is getting.
“In that sense I am thinking that he has some experience,” said Trout. “At the same time, Charlo has some of the makings of being one of the best pound for pound, and I think beating him and to take the title will give me a high rank. Beating Jermall Charlo is a feat in itself, he is an undefeated bull, so I am excited for it. I am preparing for the best Charlo that can be and the best Charlo is an experienced Charlo.”
Although Trout is aware this fight will not be easy, he remains confident in his ability to walk away victorious.
“[I see this fight ending] with my hand raised,” said a confident Trout. “I am preparing for the ugliest, grittiest fight that can be and if he wants to switch it up and box, we have something for that too.”
[otw_shortcode_quote border=”bordered” border_style=”bordered”]Anything and everything I feel like he can do, I [also] feel like I have an answer for and I am not leaving that ring until my hand is raised. I have to leave victorious… I don’t believe God brought me this far to fail. – Austin Trout[/otw_shortcode_quote]
Trout explained the confidence he will bring with him to the ring this Saturday stems from his faith and also his strong mindset.
“My biggest asset is my brain; I am very able to adapt [and] I am feeling sharp in this game,” said Trout. “I know it is not going to be an easy fight, I know he is not going to give his belt up for nothing. I already put it in my mind that I am willing to do whatever it takes to take that belt… My deciding factor is that I already made up my mind that I am going to go to any lengths to get that belt.”
The question is will Austin Trout be able to live up to his confident statements as he takes on the undefeated champion Jermall Charlo on Saturday night.
