By Austin Killeen – Photos by Emily Harney (Click on photos to enlarge)

This past weekend New Mexico’s two best P4P fighters suffered demoralizing losses in two career defining nationally televised bouts. Since I’ve been covering boxing in the “Land of Enchantment”, this has to be the worst twenty four hours I can remember. On Friday night Fidel Maldonado was dismantled at the hands of Ismael Barroso. On Saturday night Austin Trout started well, but imploded against the heavy fists of Jarrett Hurd. These losses weren’t the result of questionable decisions, but crushing setbacks. What set Trout and Maldonado apart from the rest of the local crowd, was their ability to enter their opponents back yard and win; in Trout’s case, for a world title. Based on what took place over the weekend, you have to ask, is this the end of the line for two outstanding fighters. We’ve been spoiled by both gentlemen for a long time, taking their performances for granted.

In the opening bout on Showtime, Jarrett Hurd (21-0-0, 15 KO’s) of Accokeek, MD won by TKO over Austin Trout (30-4-0, 17 KO’s) of Las Cruces, NM. In the opening round Trout got off to a quick start, scoring with right jabs from his southpaw stance. In the second round, the former champ picked up the pace landing combinations against the plodding Hurd. The defending champ was flat footed, lunged with his punches, most of which missed their mark.  In the third round Hurd picked up the pace forcing Trout to the ropes at times where he was able to land his jab and right hands to the body.  But Trout responded by slipping punches while scoring with left hooks to the head and body. Trout was looking sharp, but his blows didn’t appear to be hurting Hurd. In the fourth round Trout started snapping Hurd’s head back with straight lefts to the head and hooks to the body. His right jabs and hooks continually found their mark. This was Trout’s best round of the bout. Hurd might have lost the round, but he did land some powerful shots to the challenger’s head and body. In a game of attrition, Trout appeared to be scoring at a two to one ratio. The fifth round Hurd continued coming forward like the Frankenstein Monster, scoring with some power right hands to the head. But Trout always answered with clean shots of his own. Trout was in control and building a big lead on the scorecards.

In round six things started going south for Trout. Although Hurd wasn’t sitting down on his punches, he started landing jabs and overhand rights. Trout responded in kind, but he was going toe-to-toe with a slugger instead of staying in the center of the ring. Late in the round Hurd rocked Trout with a powerful right hand to the head. In his corner after the bell, Coach Burke admonished Trout for staying in front of Hurd. In the seventh round a clash of heads opened a cut over Hurd’s left eye. But the new champion was now in charge, walking Trout across the ring. In the eighth round Trout was in big trouble. He was no longer moving his head and became a target for the power punches of the champ. In the ninth round Trout’s right eye started to close. In the tenth round a game Trout kept fighting back, but he lacked the power of Hurd who was walking through him. Hurd was trying for a knockout when the bell saved Trout from further punishment.

Sitting on his stool at the end of the tenth round, Trout didn’t seem to be responding to Burke’s instructions. Burke fearing for his boxer’s safety told the doctor he was stopping the fight. When ring announcer Jimmy Lennon announced the verdict, Trout immediately left the ring and was taken to the Hospital for observation.

In his previous bout against Jermall Charlo, Trout looked much sharper. In that bout Trout staged a big rally over the final six rounds to lose a very close decision. On Saturday night Trout looked old, taking shots to the head that would not have scored earlier in his career. Through the first five rounds Trout looked sharp, but in the sixth round he suddenly looked tired, and was unable to get a second wind. Austin Trout and Louie Burke have been together since Trout was ten years old. Burke sees Trout as a friend first and a boxer second, I’m sure they’ll have a long talk before deciding what the future holds.

In the other title bouts, Jermell Charlo (30-0-0, 15 KO’s) of Houston, TX KO’d Erickson Lubin (18-1-0, 13 KO’s) of Orlando, FL in the 1^st round for the WBC title. In the feature bout Erislandy Lara (23-2-2, 14 KO’s) defended his WBA title against Terrell Gausha (20-0-0, 9 KO’s) of Cleveland, OH winning a unanimous 12 round decision.

Voices from the corner:  The New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet takes place at the Embassy Suites Hotel on October 28, 2017. Tickets are $40 each or $320 a table. Special guests will be Fidel Maldonado senior and junior. Tickets are moving fast, so don’t miss out of a special evening honoring New Mexico’s best.

2017 Inductees are: Michael Adams                        Announcer

                                     Sergio Chavez                           Boxer/Trainer/Cut Man

                                     Charles Anaya                           Boxer

                                     Chris Linson                              Boxer

                                      Luis Chavez                               Trainer

                                      Earl Large                                  Boxer