Former world champion and Canelo Alvarez opponent, Austin “No Doubt” Trout will face former UFC contender Diego Sanchez as part of BKFC’s Knucklemania 3, on Friday, February 17th, which is available for $7.99 on bareknuckle.tv.
Trout, who famously defeated Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden to win the WBA 154 lbs world title. Trout would face the best of his era, but never could match that marquee win that he did on that night in December of 2012.
“[I remember when I first saw bareknuckle boxing], and I said ‘I would do that’, said Austin Trout to TMZSports. “Fast-forward BKFC starts popping, I was already watching [some of their fights]…so when my buddy Nelson called me and asked if I’d do it. I said, ‘bruh, you already know.’”
Trout, who has spent the past couple of years since losing a majority decision to Jermell Charlo via a majority decision and getting a draw with Terrell Gausha fighting in regional promotions off-television. Bare-knuckle now gives the 37-year-old a chance to reinvent himself.
“I have to prepare for the best that Diego [Sanchez] can bring for me,” said Trout about his mindset going into this bout on Friday night. “Not only do I have to neutralize [his aggression], I also need to be able to whoop his ass…we got to make him pay.”
This will be the former WBA world champions first fight in bare-knuckle boxing as former boxers have had mixed success when dabbling in this new fringe sport.
“Don’t get me wrong, I am still very much trying to pursue a world title in the boxing world,” said Austin Trout. “…but there is no reason why I can’t be champion in both.”