By Peter Wells (twitter- @boxingpeter): Since shocking almost everyone in the Madison Square Garden last December, Austin Trout’s life has changed drastically. He may not have reached the super-stardom of Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao, but in upsetting Puerto Rican superhero Miguel Cotto, Austin is now in the position where he calls the shots.
Trout took his opportunity in the limelight to shout out Golden Boy’s new Golden Boy, Canelo Alvarez, a fight GBP did not want their superstar to take. But Canelo wanted to show to fans why he is unlike other fighters who tell the press they’ll fight who their promoters put in front of them. Canelo took the bait, backing up his claims that he wishes to fight the best and setting up a Light Middleweight superfight on Saturday 20th April.
Light Middleweights top man, Austin Trout still seems to be an underrated fighter he was when stepping in with Miguel Cotto. Despite the unexpected victory for Trout, Light Middleweights new king is not being hailed with appreciation like royalty. In the other corner Canelo Alvarez is for some overrated. He is yet to be tested by someone who is not past their peak or not a blown up Welterweight. Canelo has now given himself the chance to prove he is deserving of the bundles of praise heading his way while a Trout win may finally unlock the door to superstardom that a victory over Cotto failed to bring.
To say Alvarez fights in the same way as Miguel Cotto would be a false statement, but Alvarez does indeed share traits with Cotto that made the Puerto Rican so destructive in his heyday. Body punches, controlled aggression and solid defence are all things the two have in common. For many Trout will have to fight in the same manner as he did against Cotto, but with a higher intensity. Canelo is younger and much quicker than Cotto was and is unlikely to fade as much as Cotto did late in his fight with Trout.
Canelo may be quick but his speed does match that of Trout, and for myself, although he is the bigger puncher I can’t see Canelo really hurting Trout to the head – although body shots could be different. So my pick is for Trout to keep the fight at a good distance for the first half of the fight, moving more than punching, which should give Canelo a lead on the scorecard by the half way mark. Canelo will use his ability to cut off the ring and then dig in body shots when the chance arrives. As the fight wears on Trout will start to enjoy success with quick combinations as he hauls himself back in front in a close back and forth fight. A strong finish will be needed by both fighters but Trout can take a points decision by doing enough work on the outside before tying up when the two get in close.
If my prediction is correct then GBP will work hard to build Alvarez back up, until they feel he’s ready for a superfight with Mayweather. As for Trout, let’s just hope that his promoters and the boxing world gives him the opportunities and exposure that his talents deserves.
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