"Well, he looks good on paper and he's a strong guy, but I've had a couple of tough ones and make them look easy. The competition hasn't stepped up too much; I've just been making them look bad, and I'm going to do the same thing to him this weekend. I'm going to go in there and make it look like a sparring session," stated undefeated jr. middleweight Austin Trout as he talked about his upcoming title challenge this weekend with Rigoberto Alvarez. Check it out!
MJ: Tell us about your upcoming title shot against Rigoberto Alvarez.
AT: I'm excited about that world title fight in Guadalajara.
MJ: How big of a step up in competition will it be compared to previous fights?
AT: Well, he looks good on paper and he's a strong guy, but I've had a couple of tough ones and make them look easy. The competition hasn't stepped up too much; I've just been making them look bad, and I'm going to do the same thing to him this weekend. I'm going to go in there and make it look like a sparring session.
MJ: So far, what would you say has been your signature win in you career?
AT: Nilson Tapia of Panama. That's the fight that projected me into the top 3 of the WBA. It was a really tough fight; a good fight. I fought an undefeated fighter, Byron Tyson, in 2008. He was supposed to be a really tough opponent.
MJ: How is you training for this upcoming fight?
AT: It's really going great. We're in the mountains in New Mexico getting some elevation work. I feel great. I went 12 rounds at 7000 feet with no problem. I'm young, in good shape, and I'm ready to go.
MJ: How is your promotional situation going?
AT: I can't really tell you from this experience. There's been so much going on with this fight: postponements, delays, changes of venues, losses of venues. It's not necessarily my promoter's fault (Empire Promotions); I can't judge them off this fight.
MJ: What do you think right now of the 154-pound division?
AT: You know, there are some good guys out there and I'm happy to be a part of it. Whether or not fans and critics believe me right now, I am the best of the 154-pound division. I'm hoping this belt will give me the opportunity to prove that. I hope I can get those names in there so I can prove who I am after all, as champ.
MJ: Can you tell us anything else about yourself that would be exciting for the fans to know?
AT: I'm just a real cool guy, down to earth, who can knock your block off. Once you guys get to know me, you'll find I haven't met anyone who hasn't liked me yet. I'll be the people's champ and I'll be a great ambassador of boxing to the world.
MJ: Do you have any predictions for the fight?
AT: I feel like I'll knock him out in the 9th round.