Austin Trout will look to prove he has the class to match it with the top boxers in the world when he defends his world title against Miguel Cotto on Sunday afternoon (AEDT) from the Madison Square Garden in New York. We’ll have live updates of the fight from 2.00pm AEDT.
Many see the slick moving Trout as a live underdog against Cotto and at only 27 years of age ‘No Doubt’ is fighting on the ‘big stage’ for the first time, and the question will be if he can rise to the task against Cotto.
It won’t be just Cotto that Trout has to deal with, the majority of the crowd will be supporting Cotto, but it will be Trout’s aim to keep them quiet from early on.
“All we wanted is a chance,” Trout said.
“We had to go above and beyond, under the radar for this chance. I plan on making history.
“Not because I made Miguel Cotto a five-time world champion but because I will be the only person to beat him in New York.”
Cotto is unbeaten from seven fights at the Garden and with more big money fights still left in him, it’s about Cotto claiming the belt to make him a more attractive opponent to the likes of Canelo Alvarez.
Cotto will have the strength and height advantage in the fight, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Puerto Rican wear down Trout over the rounds and secure a decision victory.
To me Cotto looks a class above Trout. He is coming off a competitive loss to the world’s best fighter Floyd Mayweather while Trout despite being world champion hasn’t fought the class of opponents that Cotto has, and his fast hands won’t be anything that Cotto hasn’t seen before.
Verdict: Cotto via unanimous decision.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
This was a complete mismatch. Austin Trout, who's fought at middleweight (160). Miguel Cotto, who's a former super lightweight (140lbs) Cotto was all ways a very small LMW and Trout a very big one. One thing is certain, Floyd Mayweather won't be staying at LMW and will drop back to the box office welterweight division.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Austin Trout has called out Canelo Alvarez who was ringside but had walked away.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
On the way out of the ring Cotto is asked if he will fight again. His response was "probably".
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Big performance by Trout who proves he is the real deal. He ended up being too slick for Cotto who looked slow and faded in the final third of the fight.
Mark
Guest
Sounds like a good fight will have to watch the replay
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Austin Trout def. Miguel Cotto via UD (117-111, 117-111, 119-109).
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 12: Cotto is coming out like he needs the round, and ties up Trout on the inside. Trout lets his hands go and backs Cotto up against the ropes. It's all Trout to the final bell and he SHOULD take the decision easily.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 11: Improved start for Cotto, but Trout goes back to his jab from the outside. Cotto lands a one-two on Trout then snaps the head back on Trout. Cotto's trapped on the ropes and Trout lands a nice uppercut. Better round for Cotto but Trout is too fast for Cotto in the closing rounds.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 10: Scrappy start to the round on the inside with a bit of clinching. Trout is looking the fresher of the two and continues to pick his shots from a distance, but Cotto fires back late. Cotto will need to win the next two rounds if he wants the decision.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 9: Trout is warned for another low blow in round nine. Cotto gets on the inside, working away. Trout cuts off the ring and fires away from distance. Trout's round. It's a very close fight with some having Trout up by 1 round.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 8: Trout is really using his reach advantage to effect. Trout needs to start stringing rounds together and works behind his jab staying busy. Cotto is good late and both boxers trade to the bell. Trout edges the round in my books.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 7: Cotto with swelling under his eye comes out aggressive in round 7. Showing good head movement Cotto gets it back on the inside landing some powerful shots on Trout. Trout sets up his jab and both boxers trade to the bell. Trout's round.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 6: Cotto is trying to load up on his jab, but Trout is trying to pick him off from the outside. Cotto lands a nice combinaton but Trout goes back to his jab pushing the pace to level up the fight half way through.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 5: Trout attacks the body of Cotto behind his jab, but then eats a 3 punch combination with all three punches landing. Cotto then gets back on the inside landing more short shots. Cotto closes the round backing up Trout, but Trout did more from the outside. Cotto leads by one on my scorecard, many have it closer.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 4: Trout lands some nice jabs on Cotto from the distance, but Cotto comes forward and lands on Trout. In the closing seconds Cotto lands more shots on Trout and leads by two rounds in my book.
Eric
Guest
I predict Cotto with a close decision...115-113.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 3: Trout isn't liking to be on the inside, but that's Cotto's game plan. Trout is picking his shots and landing from a distance, but Cotto goes back on the inside and lands some nice shots on the bell.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 2: Trout is looking sharp early in the round, but Cotto is looking to move forward and fight on the inside. A round for Trout in my mind, but it's been close. 19-19.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Round 1: Cotto starts on the front foot wih Trout looking to move in and out with his jab. Cotto works behind his jab with Trout looking to land quick shots. Cotto has Trout moving back and catches him with a combination. Trout rocks Cotto but its a measured start by both boxers. 10-9 Cotto.
Mark
Guest
Trout via split decision