"I feel like Canelo will fight anybody, just like most fighters will, but his handlers are protecting him. I think it's more De La Hoya than it is Canelo. If you ask most fighters who they want to fight, most guys will say they want to fight the best. I think Canelo will fight anyone, but Golden Boy is going to do what's best to protect their cash cow...Canelo was plan A, Bundrage is plan B. In my opinion, he's beatable. All he is is strong. I would love that fight with Bundrage. Hopefully he wants it too because it's time to unify the division," stated jr. middleweight champion Austin Trout, who talked about his disappointment in not getting the opportunity to face Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, his future plans, and much more. Check it out!

DK: What's going on Champ? How's life treating you?

AT: Life is good. My kids are healthy. I'm healthy. As long as my family is good, I'm good.

DK: It's been over a month now since you successfully defended your title against Delvin Rodriguez. How are you physically?

AT: Physically, I'm fine. I wanted to get back in the ring the next week after I fought.

DK: Talk about the Rodriguez fight. How did you rate your performance?

AT: I gave it a 6.5. I did what I had to do to win. We were expecting Rodriguez to be more aggressive than he was, to throw more punches. At the same time, I should still do what I needed to do. If I did what I needed to do, I could've knocked him out. I read somewhere that he blamed the fight being boring on me. Last time I checked, there are two people in the ring. I'm not going to say it wasn't totally my fault. I take full responsibility for giving the fans a whack fight, but I still did more than I needed to do to win, so take some responsibility on yourself because it was a whack fight, but I still came out on top and did more than he did in the ring. It takes two to make a fight.

DK: A lot of people said that was an audition to land the Canelo Alvarez fight, but a lot of people say they were disappointed. What do you say to that?

AT: I say that I agree. Let's keep it real. It wasn't the performance I wanted to put out, and it wasn't the type of fight I usually put out, but everyone has a bad day, and as long as I get the win, that's the number one priority. Just keeping it real, I was there and I was disappointed, but I got the win. To be honest, I feel the bad performance was the reason I had a chance to be considered in the first place for the Canelo fight. If I had a great performance, it wouldn't have been a thought for them, but since I didn't have a great performance, they at least entertained the thought of the fight.

DK: What do you think about Josesito Lopez landing the Canelo fight?

AT: I had mixed emotions because I don't want to be a hater. My initial reaction was mad because he's a junior welterweight, but once I stopped and thought about it, instead of being mad because I didn't get the fight, I looked at it as Ortiz had the fight, Lopez got his shot and beat Ortiz and made the most of his opportunity. That makes sense. Yeah, okay, Lopez shouldn't be fighting for a 154-pound title, but he wasn't supposed to beat the 147-pound fighter and he won a title, so in a weird way, it works. I can't be mad at him. More power to him. I feel like Canelo will fight anybody, just like most fighters will, but his handlers are protecting him. I think it's more De La Hoya than it is Canelo. If you ask most fighters who they want to fight, most guys will say they want to fight the best. I think Canelo will fight anyone, but Golden Boy is going to do what's best to protect their cash cow.

DK: I know you've signed with boxing power player Al Haymon. What has he meant to your career thus far, having worked with him now for one fight?

AT: So far, he's got me on TV. That's about it right now, but I'm waiting to see that money that Al Haymon gets his fighters. It's only been one fight, but the exposure I got was critical for my career.

DK: Were you disappointed Haymon didn't get you the Canelo fight?

AT: Um, well, yeah, I was disappointed I didn't get the Canelo fight. I know Al Haymon works very closely with Golden Boy, but I don't know if anybody is in good enough with De La Hoya to risk his cash cow, like I said.

DK: Have you had any discussions on your next opponent, and when do you expect to be back in the ring?

AT: Haven't had any real discussions, but they're talking about late August, early September. If they can't get me a shot at another belt, I'm willing to go overseas. I'm 26 years old and I need to be fighting as much as I can. I'm not an every 8 month fighter. The last layoff I just had was ridiculous. It was too long. I need to stay active.

DK: One man who I know who is looking for an opponent and who has said he wants to unify is IBF champion Cornelius "K9" Bundrage. He recently told me he didn't want to fight a southpaw, but a unification fight between the two of you could lead to the winner of Canelo vs. Lopez. Would that be a fight you are interested in?

AT: Canelo was plan A, Bundrage is plan B. In my opinion, he's beatable. All he is is strong. I would love that fight with Bundrage. Hopefully he wants it too because it's time to unify the division. People think I don't deserve to be champion, but I'm trying to put my belt on the line and prove to everyone that I deserve this belt. The winner could corner Canelo to unify the belts. They're talking about a 154-pound tournament. I've got an idea, let's put me and Bundrage on the undercard of Canelo vs. Lopez. That's three belts on the line in one night and there's your tournament right there.

DK: That's a good point. What about the WBO champ from Russia, Zaurbek Baysangurov?

AT: He's the other belt holder and I need that WBO belt to be undisputed champ. I would be willing to do it if the money's right. I doubt he'd be willing to come here, so if I have to go there and I get neutral judging and officiating, and the moneys right, I'd be happy too.

DK: I got you Champ. One more thing before I let you go, you and your fiancée recently appeared on the TV show on TLC, "Say Yes to the Dress." She says it was weird being the center of attention. What was that like being on that show?

AT: Well, you know, it was weird because I never wanted to go shopping for a dress. I know what I like, but I don't have an opinion usually on stuff like that. But it was kind of cool because they were watching her and not me. She deserved the spotlight and the attention, so it was cool she got that opportunity.

DK: Alright Champ, any final thoughts to the fans out there?

AT: I'm in the gym. I'm not gonna be caught with my pants down. I'm looking forward to having a fight in next couple months. Last fight was win today, look good tomorrow. Keep rockin with me; I'm gonna be undisputed champion of the world. I'm excited to make it happen. I feel like God has a plan for me and this is in God's plan. If it's not, so be it, but I have that feeling it is.