Photo via Boxingscene.com
Austin Trout “Three-Division World Champion in BKFC Sounds Good”
Austin Trout tests skills with Diego Sanchez at BKFC KnuckleMania 3 on February 17th.
Trout appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts to discuss his adaptations going into bare-knuckle boxing, championship goals in multiple BKFC weight categories, plus so much more. Excerpts from our chat are below.
Austin Trout
Trout making his bare-knuckle boxing debut in the same place he made his gloved boxing debut
“To be able to make my BKFC debut in Albuquerque where I also made my pro boxing debut, it’s like it’s coming around full circle. I do plan on getting another third-round knockout.”
Drilling different clinch positions and engaging in more hybrid training for this BKFC foray
“It’s very interesting though. Kind of opening up the different weapons and tools. I am interested in seeing what else I can do… I love it, I feel like I should have been more of a dirty boxer this whole time (laughs). Been denying a lot of talent. But you know, it’s different. It’s definitely different. I’ve got to make these adjustments. Some things that come so naturally to these guys, I’m really struggling at picking up. But the more that we drill it, the more naturally it’s coming. You know, they’re realizing, I’m realizing I’m pretty damn cock strong too.”
BKFC KnuckleMania 3
If Trout’s stand-up fighting methodology has changed as he knuckles up and toes the line
“It has but it’s because I’m preparing to put myself in positions that I’m not comfortable. Now if I get to sit back and just potshot him and take him out tactically, that would be great. That would be easier for me. I don’t have to put no wear and tear on my beautiful face. But in the case that he does make it an ugly fight, we just want to make sure that we’re prepared for that.”
“Preparing for the worst, expecting the best. I have a feeling my footwork, my speed, my defense will be a little bit too much to take. It’s going to be a pretty fight on my side. But again, he’s a very reluctant, resilient foe. So if he does end up making it ugly, we want to make sure that we don’t panic and that we know exactly what to do in that situation as well.”
Having championship aspirations in multiple weight categories for BKFC
“I can definitely go back and forth (between 165 and 155). Hell, if the fight’s right, we can make 145. Three-division world champion in BKFC sounds good… (Luis) Palomino, they call him the best boxer in BKFC and I definitely want to take that title away. He’s the champion, so I want to take that title away as well (laughs). That’s what my eyes are set on is to be the best. Like you said, it don’t have to take long for me to get there either. So why not hit that shit right now while I’m here?”
BKFC
Trout’s thoughts on opponent Diego Sanchez’s stylistic attributes in combat
“He’s resilient and he got heart. His skill set was mostly wrestling. The majority (of it) was wrestling which is not going to help him out too much in this fight. His resilience will help him out because you know, with the whole bare knuckle thing it’s easier to hurt one’s hands. If he can take a good shot, that’s fine. But what I haven’t seen is how well does he take a body shot?”
“That’s what we’re going to test out come this fight night. How well can Diego take a body shot? We know he can take head shots. This isn’t going to be me beating his head down until it’s a bloody pulp. Although I’m down to do that but we’re going to focus a lot on the body. Hopefully, he’s been doing his situps.”
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