By Sebastian Hernandez: The upcoming championship bout is a make or break fight for both Austin Trout and Miguel Cotto in which a win is essential to both fighters. Trout, the current WBA super welterweight champion, has already made 4 defenses of his title but has come up short in terms of fame and cash flow. If he were to win this fight his boxing career would skyrocket and he would be able to land big fights with iconic names.
Cotto on the other hand needs the win due to the fact that he has been on a steady downfall, is recently coming off of a loss, and an unimpressive victory over the now retired Mexican great Antonio Margarito. If Cotto were to win, his victory would lead to a unification bout with the current WBC super welterweight champion, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. The fight would be a perfect match-up due to the large fan base both fighters possess and the Mexican- Puerto Rican rivalry.
Each fighter has his own advantages, Cotto has the experience, the support of the crowd, and in my opinion the harder punch, Trout is a better boxer with youth, speed, and hunger. I recently met up with Marcelo Crudele, former assistant trainer/ conditioning coach of middleweight boxing sensation of Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, WBC light welterweight interim champion Lucas Mathysse, and Hector “El Tigre” Saldiva. Having trained many fighters and being involved in the sport for over twenty years his knowledge and experience is well pronounced and felt. Marcelo said the following, “Cotto was and is a great fighter but his best days are gone now. He will either go forward and fight trout head on or back pedal.
If Cotto goes forward due to his punching ability He might be able to knockdown Trout in the later rounds after continuous body attacks and head shots. However, Cotto is not always in the best condition and Trout is bigger, younger, and stronger with a vast array of boxing skills. If Cotto feels a heavy shot he will begin to back up, as he did with the bigger Margarito in both fights, and will lose his confidence, leading to a loss.
The fight will be an arduous and grueling one for both fighters. Trout does have power but not knockout power and he will get a close decision.” Marcelo is right about several things, but the most important one is that the fight will be explosive and exciting which exactly what boxing needs right now. It will be a matchup of youth vs. experience, hunger vs. pride, nationalism vs. honor. Both fighters have a lot on the line and I see it as an all or nothing bout for both. Come December 1st Madison Square garden will be lit up with fireworks.