Our Experts Decide: Austin Trout vs. Daniel Dawson

 
A truly remarkable period for Australian boxing in the US ends this weekend, when Australia’s former world title challenger Daniel Dawson faces an uphill challenge against returning former WBA light middleweight champion Austin Trout from the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California.

 
The twelve round non-title bout will serve as an eliminator of sorts for both Dawson (WBA #15) and Trout (WBA #7), who hold credible top fifteen ratings by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

 
Although Trout, 28, (26-2, 14 KOs) is coming off two losses against Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara – the only losses of his career – he is still an elite level operator, having proved his mettle with his marquee win over lineal middleweight champion and future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto in 2012.

 
“We’re expecting him (Dawson) to come forward brawling type of guy,” Trout said in a recent interview with ESPN, who will televise the fight live on Saturday morning (AEST).

 
“But in recent interviews, he’s saying he’s boxing more and will give me some angles and a lot of movement. I’ve got a feeling Daniel’s going to do some boxing and he’s going to get tagged a lot the jab, which is going to set up a lot of combinations,” Trout explained.

 
“I have a feeling he’s going to revert to his old style and try and come at me.”

 
Dawson, 36, (40-3-1, 26 KOs) is riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak, dating back to 2010, where he suffered back-to-back losses to Frank LoPorto and Serhiy Dzinziruk. The latter was an unsuccessful attempt at the WBO light middleweight title, which Dawson took on ten days notice.

 
Aus-Boxing spoke to a group of industry insiders and got their thoughts on who they thought would win this weekend and why.

 
 
Ben Damon, MAIN EVENT – Record: 6-6
 
Trout W 12 Dawson: So Australia’s month of agony in the US comes to an end with veteran Daniel Dawson up against Austin Trout on ESPN2 this Saturday. I believe Dawson can surprise many with a strong performance here.

 
Trout may be low on confidence after consecutive losses, albeit against big name opponents, plus he doesn’t strike me as a massive puncher. Dawson is adaptable and has enjoyed a thorough preparation. I think he takes it the distance, but unfortunately I do expect Trout to outbox the Aussie.

 
 

Adam Wilcock, Manager/Promoter – Record: 8-4
 
Trout TKO Dawson: Two fights ago Trout signed with Al Haymon and has suffered his only two career losses. The first a questionable decision, with the ringside poll of scorecards having had him win the fight.

 
Unfortunately for Austin the official judges saw Canelo as the winner. Next start had him a free agent and no longer with long term promoter GCP. A bad day at the office had Lara a comfortable winner.

 
Dawson is tough, and for me I’d love nothing more than to see him win on Sunday. He’s right up there with Sam Soliman as long term servants of the Australian sport that deserve a good breakout victory.

 
Unfortunately I don’t see Dawson winning this. Having seen from very close quarters Trout’s demotion job of the mega-tough Frank LoPorto some 3 years ago, he can punch better than most believe and has amazing hand/feet speed. I say it will be ‘death by a thousand paper cuts’ and a TKO win for Trout.

 
 

Brendan Bourke, Manager/Agent – Record: 8-2

 

Trout UD 12 Dawson: Like all the other big fights in the last five weeks, I’ll keep my fingers crossed and I’ll be watching and cheering on the Aussie.

 
However, Austin Trout will have too much for Aussie Dan Dawson and will outbox him clearly to win on points.

 
 

Sam Labruna, Trainer- Record: 8-2
 
Trout TKO 7 Dawson: Great to see Aussie boxing on the big stage again in Dawson vs. Trout, which is a great opportunity for Dawson, even though I can’t see Dawson winning this fight against a slick boxer like Trout.

 
I don’t believe Trout has great power and that will keep the tough Dawson in the contest for a while. I hope Dawson can capitalize on that and make a fight of it. Cnce again, I’m hoping for the Aussie to win but I’m predicting it will be Trout inside of seven rounds.

 
 

Lincoln Hudson, Trainer – Record: 9-3

 

Trout UD 12 Dawson: What a month for Australian boxing, it’s been great for our sport even though it hasn’t been a great month for victories but nevertheless it’s been great for boxing in general in Australia.

 
Over the last month we have seen Aussie fighters do what million only dream of – and that’s fight for a world title – in saying that I believe Daniel Dawson is pretty much continually doing the same thing here. Even though it might not be for a world title, he is representing Australia as well as Australian boxing against a genuine world title challenger and a former world champ.

 
But at the end of the day – I’m sorry to say it – but as much as Aussie boxing rides on this success, I feel that Dawson won’t be coming out glorious.

 
 

Barry Michael, Promoter – Record: 1-1
 
Trout TKO 5 Dawson: I really think Austin Trout is a brilliant boxer. I think Daniel is out of his depth and I think he will be comprehensively outboxed and stopped within five.

 
Daniel is a great puncher and good boxer at the domestic level, but this is another league.

 
 

Matt Clark, Manager – Record: 6-1

 
Trout TKO 10 Dawson: I see Trout winning this one fairly comfortably. I think he’s just too slick for Dawson and probably stops him late. Daniel needs to rough Trout up and make it a street fight.

 
If Trout keeps him on the outside he’ll pick Dawson off. I’d love to see Dawson pull off the upset, I wish him all the best.

 
 
George Reno, Trainer – Record: 6-2

 
Trout UD 12 Dawson: This is another hard fight for the Aussies, I think Trout wins this over the distance. I don’t think Dawson will be able to handle his southpaw style, it could even be a late round stoppage win for Trout.

 
 

Billy Hussein, Trainer – Record: 8-2

 

Trout W 12 Dawson: I really hope Dawson can shock him and he’s going into this fight with a punchers chance. But unfortunately I think Austin Trout will win this one on points.

 
I think Trout’s reach and southpaw stance will be the main difference in this fight.

 
 

Gareth Williams, Trainer – Record: 7-5

 

Trout UD 12 Dawson: I am really hoping Daniel Dawson can win this and give Australia some credibility after our recent run. However, it doesn’t look likely.

 
Unfortunately, I can see Trout beating Dawson by a wide unanimous decision. Dawson is in the best shape of his life but Trout is a world class operator. I hope Dawson packed his fishing rod.

 
 

Dino Billinghurst, trainer – Record: 0-1

 
Trout TKO 6 Dawson: This is Dawson’s best chance to put himself in line to win a major world title since Trout has been pretty inactive over the past twelve months, only fighting twice.

 
In saying that, though Trout has beaten in Cotto, stopped tough Frank LoPorto while only losing to great fighters in Saul Alvarez and Erislandy Lara. I hate going against a fellow Australian – but I think once Trout finds his range and rhythm – he will stop Dawson.

 
 
Photos: Supplied
 

 
Open an account with Bet365 today and qualify for a fantastic 100% Deposit Bonus, up to $200.