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Austin Trout vs Daniel Dawson Preview and Prediction

 

By Ian S Palmer

Former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin Trout of New Mexico returns to the ring this Friday, August 22 when he takes on Daniel Dawson of Australia in a 12-round bout at the Pechanga Resort and Casino, in Temecula, California. The fight can be seen live in America on ESPN 2 and on a tape-delayed basis in Canada on TSN. This is a huge contest for Trout as he’s dropped two fights in a row by unanimous decision against Erislandy Lara and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. He needs a win here if he hopes to earn a rematch against either Lara or Alvarez.

It’s not likely the seventh-ranked Trout will get a rematch though as there isn’t much demand for one and he’s still seen as a dangerous and awkward boxer to meet. However, he still has to beat Dawson to keep his contender status and to earn a shot at any of the other junior middleweight titleholders. The 28-year-old southpaw Trout will enter the ring with a record of 26-2 along with 14 Kos while the 36-year-old Dawson is 40-3-1 with 26 Kos to his name. They both have a common opponent in Frank LoPorto. Trout sopped him in the sixth round back in 2011 and Dawson was beaten by LoPorto via a unanimous decision a year earlier.

Dawson has been stopped once, which was by former WBO Junior Middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk in 2010. His other loss was by unanimous decision to Daniel Geale in 2007. Trout hasn’t been stopped, but he had a bit of a problem with the power of Lara and Alvarez. Dawson has decent power in his fists, but Trout should be able to handle it, which makes this a winnable fight for the ex-champ. Trout isn’t a knockout artist either, so there’s a good chance he and Dawson will go the distance.

Trout said he expects Dawson to come out looking for a knockout though and is preparing himself for a brawl rather than a boxing match. However, Dawson claims that he’s going to utilize his boxing skills and footwork and will be throwing punches from all angles. Trout will be attempting to control the fight with his jab and use it to set up quick combinations. Dawson will likely revert to his brawling style if he’s not successful with his boxing skills. Either way, Trout seems to have the edge no matter what style Dawson chooses.

Prediction

This is basically a step up in class for Dawson. He’s also eight years older than Trout and has a weaker chin to go along with less power. Trout didn’t look the greatest against Lara and Alvarez, but not many boxers do. He hasn’t lost his skills overnight, but may be a little low on confidence. Trout definitely has enough power and boxing skills in the tank to take a unanimous decision or late stoppage over Dawson.

 

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