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Former WBA light middleweight champion Austin Trout (26-2 with 14 KOs) will face Australian Daniel Dawson (40-3-1 with 26 KOs) in a 12 round bout that will headline ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights finale on August 22nd.
Tough 2013
Trout had a breakout year in 2012 which was culminated by his 12 round mastery over Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto. But then Trout had a tough 2013 as he suffered back to back losses. First, Trout lost his title via unanimous decision to Canelo Alvarez in April 2013 and then he was punished by Erislandy Lara for 12 rounds in December 2013.
Trout recalls how hard he took the loss to Alvarez. It was the first defeat of his career and he had lost the WBA light middleweight belt which he had previously defended four straight times. The bout was close but Trout suffered a 7th round knockdown which he said was crucial in the fight.
Against Lara, Trout admitted he never got his rhythm. He credits Lara for taking him off his game. He said that he wanted to engage but Lara dictated the tempo of the fight with his slick boxing. Trout added that he underwent a CT scan after the bout because of the beating he took from Lara.
But Trout’s put these losses behind him now, and he is looking forward to facing Dawson in his quest to reclaim glory. He said he that was already motivated to make a comeback, but watching his previous tormentors Canelo and Lara fight a couple of weeks ago made him more determined than ever.
Title Eiminator
According to Promoter Dan Goosen, the Trout-Dawson bout will be a title eliminator. But Trout says that “he won’t put too much worry” if it’s not a title eliminator. What is important to the 28 year old southpaw is that he will be able to show the national television audience that he is “still a top fighter.”
Trout also said that he is very comfortable with fighting at 154 pounds and isn’t discounting the possibility of getting his rematches against Alvarez and Lara. But he says that he is willing to move to middleweight should an opportunity for a big money fight comes his way.
Incredible Opportunity
On the other hand, Dawson called the fight “an incredible opportunity” for him and his team. He says that he knows what’s in store for him against a top caliber boxer like Austin Trout. But he believes that he will be “ready and focused on winning on his game plan.”
The 36 year old Dawson challenged Sergey Dzinziruk for the world title in 2010. However, he lost via 10th round knockout. The bout against Trout will be his first bout in eleven months.
