"Mundine needs to hurry up and make a decision. I hope the WBA enforces something quick because I'm trying to make them some money too...Fighting Delvin would be better for my career, in my opinion, in the U.S. The Mundine fight, I would go to Australia to fight, just not in certain places where they don't have any regulations. We'll try to go to Melbourne or someplace like that...I'm not running from my mandatory. I'm looking to get back in there as soon as possible," stated WBA jr. middleweight champion Austin Trout, who is eager to get back in the ring to defend his title, but he's waiting for his mandatory challenger, Anthony Mundine, to decide if he wants to make the fight. If not, Trout is prepared to move forward and face Delvin Rodriguez. Check out what else he had to say!
DK: What's going on, Champ?
AT: Not much; just kind of sitting here waiting to know when the next one is.
DK: Have you heard anything? When are you planning on getting back in the ring?
AT: Late March/early April, that being in a perfect world. You know, this is pretty confusing because I know Delvin [Rodriguez] wants the fight and has agreed to terms, but it has to do with my mandatory. We have to wait for Mundine and see what he or his camp want to do. I wish they would figure it out already and don't be a dick and make me wait and not say anything.
DK: So you and Delvin are all ready to sign the contracts for a bout as long as Mundine steps aside then?
AT: From what I understand. We were talking before he fought Pawel Wolak the second time. I'm usually the last person to know anything. It's aggravating.
DK: So what's the deal with Mundine?
AT: If Mundine doesn't except the mandatory, then I believe it goes to Delvin anyway, so that would be cool. Mundine was calling me out left and right and his goons were harassing my Twitter. I'm not hearing anything from him now and he needs to make a decision.
DK: Have you or your promoter, Greg Cohen, spoken with HBO or Showtime about dates?
AT: It's funny because I was in New York recently for one of Greg Cohen's shows. I was sitting there with Harold Lederman, and he wants to get that fight done with me and Delvin. It's cool too because I know Showtime has a lot of interest in that fight, but it's nice to have HBO as another avenue to explore. It's not set, and before we can make a commitment, we have to see what's up with the mandatory.
DK: Is there a timeframe Mundine has to make a decision?
AT: I'm not sure, but Mundine needs to hurry up and make a decision. I hope the WBA enforces something quick because I'm trying to make them some money too.
DK: Which fight do you want more?
AT: Fighting Delvin would be better for my career, in my opinion, in the U.S. The Mundine fight, I would go to Australia to fight, just not in certain places where they don't have any regulations. We'll try to go to Melbourne or someplace like that.
DK: You went to Mexico to win your WBA title, and then went back to defend it. Clearly you don't mind traveling, so would you definitely go to Australia to fight Mundine? I know the money would be much better there than here in the U.S.
AT: Absolutely. As long as I get neutral officials, and the WBA has been doing very good about judges and officials.
DK: Alright my man. Any final thoughts you wanna put out there?
AT: Just wanna let everyone know that I'm not running from my mandatory. I'm looking to get back in there as soon as possible. I just need to take care of the mandatory situation before I know who I'm fighting next. Either way, I'm trying to fight. You can follow me on Twitter @NoDoubutTrout. God bless you all.
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