Holed away in his new, higher-elevation training camp in Ruidoso, New Mexico, WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (25-0, 14 KO’s) says he’s not necessarily doing anything different in preparation for the fourth defense of his WBA title on December 1 against Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden and televised live on SHOWTIME… he’s just doing more of it.
“I haven’t changed anything; it’s just a more intense camp,” Trout said.
“I’m expecting a hard 12 rounds in an intense fight. Cardio is very important because I’ve never known him to show up unprepared. He’s still a very hungry fighter and I’m flattered he chose me as his opponent. That shows how hungry he still is, so I’m upping everything that I normally do. We had to acclimate to the high altitude, but now we’re continuing to work harder than ever.”
Trout says he’s been watching Cotto for a long time and knows what to expect when the two meet.
“I’ve got a pretty good bead on how he fights and I know my jab will be a problem for him, but I will have to put a lot of leather on him. He’s a warrior that comes to fight, but I’ve seen fighters like him before and I know what I have to do. I’m looking at this as my golden opportunity. He’s had his time and done great things with it, but it’s my time now. I’ll be damned if I let this opportunity slip away from me.”
The 27-year-old Las Cruces, New Mexico native says he’s not affected by the additional pressure of being in a career-defining fight. “This is part of the job,” Trout said. “It all comes with the territory. I was born for this.”
Trout admits to one weakness in camp though, “I definitely miss my kids.”
