Recap: Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout - SHOWTIME Boxing - Omar Figueroa vs. Abner Cotto

Austin Trout vs Canelo Alvarez: Alvarez wins a 12 Round Decision

Kudos to both Austin Trout and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for putting on a good show at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday night. Both guys show class and heart during the fight, especially Trout after getting caught with a right hand and knocked down during the seventh round. He was hurt but to his credit he was immediately back in the fight and in my eyes, won the rest of the round. Alvarez, for his part, showed some resolve in the fight. I don't think he won the fight but he did better than I thought he would.

Overall, I thought Trout outworked and out hustled Canelo for most of the fight. Watching the fight I had the feeling that the onus was on Trout to take the fight to Alvarez. Both fighters were champions going in but I think that Trout was given the role of a contender and therefore had to take the fight to Alvarez and win convincingly, he had to take the title, so to speak or the fight was going to go to Alvarez. That's not to say that it was a robbery. It was a close fight and many of the rounds were hard to judge. I just happen to think the wrong guy got the win. Speaking of judging, what fight was judge Stanley Christodoulou watching? He scored the fight an atrocious 109-118 in favor of Alvarez.

Both Trout and Alvarez showed good sportsmanship after the fight. Though he he clearly believed he won the fight, Alvarez did not gloat or boast and Trout accepted the judges decision with class.

Will there be a rematch? I hope so. It's my guess that Canelo Alvarez will not want to face Austin Trout again any time soon. Why would he risk it?

As for Austin? We have not seen the last of him. You can't keep a good man down and he will be back. You can take that to the bank!!

Also, look to see more of Omar Figueroa who looked spectacular in the short time we saw him, knocking out the undefeated Abner Cotto of Puerto Rico in the first round. Smart, articulate and charismatic, he handled himself well inside the ring and in his interview.

Austin Trout vs Saul "Canelo" Alvarez

Suffering from a mean headache right now. I hope it's gone before Austin Trout and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez get it on tonight at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.  Both fighters look to be in great shape. With their contrasting styles it has all the makings of a great fight. I think it's that contrast in styles that will make all the difference in the world for Trout.  He has more options than Alvarez, more overall skills to draw upon. Alvarez is at his best with a stationary target. Trout will make his stand tonight and he can fight on the inside when he has to but he will not be a stationary target for Alvarez. Trout will win tonight by a 12 round unanimous decision or a late round knockout from an accumulation of punches. Either way, I see Trout winning this fight.  

Spotlight on Trainer Louie Burke

A great video on my primo (cousin) Louie Burke. He's the real deal. Our family and this site supports him in all he does!!

Austin Trout Day-Las Cruces, New Mexico

December 15, 2012 Austin Trout Day in the Land of Enchantment. Celebrating Austin Trout's victory over former champion Miguel Cotto. Congratulations to Austin Trout and the the state of New Mexico. This is how you treat a world champion.

Parade for Austin Trout. Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Austin Trout and trainer Louie Burke

Austin Trout Championship Parade, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Austin "No Doubt" Trout Press Conference

Fight Night: Trout vs Cotto

Austin Trout vs Miguel Cotto - Recap - Showtime Boxing

Austin "No Doubt" Trout vs Miguel Cotto: Trout by Unanimous Decision

Miguel Cotto,  Louie Burke and Austin "No Doubt" Trout at the end of the 12th round.
At Madison Square Garden, New York

By Randy De La O


Last Saturday night, December 1, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Austin Trout, from Las Cruces, New Mexico, successfully defended his WBA Super welterweight/junior middleweight title against always tough, former champion Miguel Cotto, of Caguas, Puerto Rico, with a 12 round unanimous decision. Trout was the champion but he was definitely the underdog going into this fight.

In the weeks leading up to the fight Trout and his trainer Louie Burke expressed their confidence in a victory. Trout, who has made it a habit of beating fighters on their home turf seemed undisturbed with fighting Cotto at the Garden, where Miguel Cotto is so popular he has out sold Muhammad Ali as a headliner.

Cotto, recently coming off a successful rematch with Antonio Margarito and with an exceptionally strong performance in his loss to Floyd Maywether was equally confident. Perhaps a little too confident and thinking ahead to a fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Still, you could hardly blame him, he was building momentum leading up to this fight.

I personally took some exception with certain boxing customs and protocol that were broken leading up to the fight. The fight was billed as Miguel Cotto vs Austin Trout. Traditionally, it is the champion who receives first billing. A minor gripe maybe, and a far second to entering the ring first, as well as being introduced first. These are privileges given to a reigning champion. Privileges that have been earned. I have no doubt that was negotiated but it's a safe bet it will never happen again.

Trout, who is known as an defensive fighter came out aggressively in the first round, and maintained that aggressiveness throughout most of the fight. It was no surprise to anyone that Trout would use his jab, hand speed and counter punching abilities in his fight with Cotto. What was a surprise was his willingness to trade punches on the inside and even more surprisingly, beating Cotto on the inside. Trout was consistently going to the body and using effective combinations throughout the fight.

Cotto had his best rounds in the middle of the fight where, for a time, he seemed to be gaining some momentum in the fight and possibly turning things around. By round 7 Trout seemed to regain control of the fight and was again dictating the tempo. He maintained control for the remainder of the fight.

That's not to say Cotto did not have his moments, he did, but overall Trout never seemed hurt or in trouble during this fight. Trout, maybe remembering where he was, closed the show with a strong finish in the 12th round. When the fight was over I don't think even the biggest fans of Miguel Cotto were in doubt of the outcome. Judges Steve Weisfeld and John Poturaj had it 117-111 in favor of Austin Trout, judge Adalaide Byrd also had the fight in Trout's favor with a score of 119-109.

The thing about scores is they don't always tell the whole story. I think Austin won most of the rounds but a few of them were close. They were hard fought rounds by both fighters. Both fighters had to dig down but in the end Trout dug a little deeper. Both fighters are deserving of respect. I don't know if this was a “Last Hurrah” for Cotto but if it was it was the only good way to go out, still on his feet, against a young strong champion out to prove he is the best, not unlike the Miguel Cotto of a few years back. It was the passing of the torch. Best of luck to both fighters in all they do and thanks for a great fight!!

Congratulations to Austin Trout for a great performance, as well as trainer/cornerman Louie Burke, Randy "Moose" Gomez and the rest of Team Trout. Congratulations Las Cruces, New Mexico!

Austin Trout vs Miguel Cotto

Austin Trout (Defending his WBA Super welterweight Title) vs Miguel Cotto

12 Rounds, December 1, 2012

Madison Square Garden, New York

By Randy De La O

There is no denying that Miguel Cotto  of Puerto Rico, will be the biggest test in New Mexico's Austin Trout's professional career. For the better part of the last decade, Cotto has been at the forefront of the elite fighters, losing only to Antonio Margarito, Manny Paquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. In both the Margarito and Pacquiao fights, he was severely beaten, however he did avenge his loss to Margarito in a rematch last December when the fight was stopped due to swelling and damage to Margarito's eyes. During the course of his career Cotto has faced and fought the best, including  Zab Judah, Sugar Shane Mosley, Ricardo Mayorga, Joshua Clottey, Alfonso Gomez and many others

Austin Trout, fighting as a professional since 2005 is one boxing's newest and freshest face. Trained by  New Mexico native and former boxer Louie Burke his entire amateur and professional career, he is well prepared for whatever awaits him this Saturday night in his fight with Miguel Cotto. Much has been written since the fight was signed about Madison Square Garden and New York  in general, being Cotto's home turf, but Trout has been there before, winning the title in Guadalajara, Mexico with a hard fought 12 round unanimous decision against tough Mexican Rigoberto Alvarez (older brother of Saul Alvarez), and then held his first title defense in San Luis Potosi, Mexico against native Mexican David Lopez. Trout has entered the lion's den before. The concept is nothing new to him.

Still, Trout will need all his focus and confidence to beat Cotto. No easy task but definitely doable. Trout has never lost a fight. He holds the title. He has the height and hand speed advantage and he has youth on his side. He is a good defensive fighter. If it becomes a battle of attrition I have to believe that the man who has been beaten thrice will have a harder time digging deep.

All that of course means absolutely nothing. Each man will fight for his own destiny and future. Nothing that you or I believe will change anything. It's up to them. Me? I'm going with Austin Trout. I think that Miguel Cotto will bring out the very best in Austin Trout. Look for a good hard fought 12 rounds.

Austin Trout, Miguel Cotto Make Weight

Photo Courtesy of Showtime Boxing

Courtesy of Fightnews .com

Showtime Boxing : Cotto vs. Trout: News Update

Louie Burke on Austin Trout, Miguel Cotto and his New Mexico Hall of Fame Induction

Congratulations to my cousin Louie Burke for his Induction into the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame. A well deserves honor!

Here is a link to an article on Louie Burke's induction in SOUTHWESTFIGHTNEWS.

All Access: Cotto vs. Trout - Full Episode 1 - SHOWTIME Boxing

Showtime Boxing : All Access: Miguel Cotto vs. Austin Trout - Premiere Tease

Austin Trout Defeats Delvin Rodriguez: 12 Rounds

Austin and Team Trout making their way to the ring at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California

By Randy De La O

Last Saturday, June 2, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, Austin Trout successfully defended his WBA Light Middleweight title, winning a unanimous decision against the always tough Delvin Rodriguez. The fight was shown on Showtime Boxing and was part of four main events, entitled “Four Warned”, also  featuring; Leo Santa Cruz vs Vusi Malinga, Winky Wright vs Peter Quillan and Antonio Tarver vs Lateef Kayode.

Austin Trout vs Delvin Rodriguez at The home Depot Center, Carson, California

The first few rounds were fought mostly in a defensive mode. It was expected that Rodriguez would come out aggressively but that never happened. Austin, an excellent defensive fighter made good use of his superior jab and hand speed. Still, Delvin is a stubborn fighter and one with a good chin and was determined to make a fight of it. In the middle rounds Trout began to pull away and began to dominate the fight. Delvin seemed to tire in the later rounds. Trout, always in top shape, stuck to his game plan, gave a workmanlike performance and pulled out a victory.

Las Cruces fight fan showing his support for Trout.

The win was critical for Trout. With Saul “Canelo” Alvarez sitting ringside, Trout wanted to send a message that he was more than ready to unify the title. During the post fight interview he called out Alvarez, respectfully and without the usual braggadocio seen by today's fighters. Alvarez was scheduled to fight Paul Williams in September but that fight is no longer an option due to Williams recent motorcycle accident and severe injuries which may leave him paralyzed from the waist down (We wish him well).

Will they fight? I hope so. Personally, I believe that Austin Trout  has the right stuff to beat Alvarez. We'll see.

Congratulations to Austin Trout, trainer Louie Burke, assistant trainer Randy “Moose” Gomez and manager Bob Spagnola, on their victory.

Austin Trout vs Delvin Rodriguez: The Complete Fight

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Austin Trout and Louie Burke on Las Cruces PAL Gym History

JORGE HERNANDEZ MAY 23, 2012 0

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Recently SouthWest Fight News had the honor of visiting the “Regular” WBA World Super Welterweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (24-0, 14KO) and his trainer Louie Burke, at the Sammy Burke Youth Boxing Center – Las Cruces Police Athletic League (PAL) Gym in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Police Athletic League (PAL) Gym in Las Cruces, NM

The building that houses the gym at 700 North Solano, has always been a home for fighters even since its inception in the 1950‘s when it was first used as an armory for U.S. Army tanks.

With the help of Ben “Chico” Segura, who in 1971 first established the PAL program in Las Cruces, Louie’s father Sammy Burke, former police detective Joe Bob Sellers and boxing trainer Larry Renio, 20 years-ago the building was converted into a boxing gym making it a haven for troubled teens in the southern New Mexico.

It was not just training ground for teens but for professional boxers as well. Former WBA World Lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini trained in the building.

A former professional boxer himself with a record of 19 and 3 with 12 knockouts as a product of the gym, Louie Burke challenged some well known fighters, including former three-time world champion Hector “Macho” Camacho. Burke even defeated world renown boxing trainer Freddy Roach twice, earning him the “ESPN Television” title belt in one of those victories.

In 1996, a scrawny big headed 10-year-old black kid by the name of Austin, walked into the predominantly Caucasian and Latino boxing gym on the advice of his mother.

Trainer Louie Burke works with Austin Trout

“Austin was a pretty timid kid; very quite. I don’t know what happened,” says a kidding Burke.

The only other African-American at the gym was a trainer by the name of Harvey Shaw. The late Baltimore Hall of Famer would take Trout under his wing and introduce him to the sport of fisticuffs.

“I never felt any different. They helped me as a team but oooh I got to hear all the little racial jokes that (the other kids at the gym) could not just wait to try out,” Trout reminisces.

In 2002, a cocky football player at a local high school was beating up everyone in the team’s locker-room at boxing and heard of Trout’s reputation as a talented fighter and challenged him.

That sparring match was a one sided affair with Trout coming out victorious.

The punishment delivered to Sijuola “Siju” Ade Shabazz that day would not just turn he and Trout into best friends but would lead Shabazz to start training at the gym and eventually capture the National Golden Gloves and National PAL Championships. He would also become one best amateurs in recent New Mexico boxing history.

Along with Trout and Shabazz the gym is also building quite a stable for itself with Ayanna Vasquez, a nine-time national boxing amateur champion and National PAL Champion, possibly the greatest amateur boxer in New Mexico history, and Top Rank signee Abraham “Abie” Han (15-0,10KO), an undefeated middleweight from El Paso, Texas.

Currently, Shabazz and Han are assisting Trout prepare for the biggest bout of his career. A 12 round contest for his WBA crown against a very talented Delvin Rodriguez set to take place June 2nd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Austin Trout Media Day!

Austin Trout Media Day!

2:00 Wednesday, May 23^rd at the Sammy Burke Youth Boxing Center.

Las Cruces, New Mexico

700 N. Solano

Austin is in preparation to defend his title against Delvin Rodriguez June 2^nd on Showtime!

The fight will be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.