Bare knuckle: Trout, student of the game, seeks to school Trinidad

Some two centuries ago, when the sport of boxing was born, the combatants fought with bare knuckles. The gloves would come later.

For Las Cruces’ Austin Trout, the past is the present — and, it appears, the future.

Trout, a former world boxing champion, is scheduled for the fourth bare-knuckle fight of his career on Friday, matched against Nebraskan Carlos Trinidad (who prefers to be called Carlos Trinidad-Snake) in the main event of a BKFC card in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Trout’s BKFC welterweight title will be at stake. Trinidad is the No. 1 contender.

Through his first three bare-knuckle fights, the boxing skills Trout developed and displayed during his 43-fight pro boxing career have served him well. He’s 3-0, having largely controlled the action with his boxing skills.

But, just as he was a student of the game as a boxer, Trout said during a news conference in Dubai on Wednesday, he’s still learning as a bare-knuckle fighter.

“I watched some of (BKFC featherweight champion) Kai Stewart’s fights because he has that wrestling background,” Trout said. “He’s very aggressive … he manhandles his opponents very well. And I try to study a little bit of that clinch work.

“I’m still a student, and I’m watching everybody that does good in this sport. I watch what they do and I try to implement it to my own game as well.”

So far, David Feldman says, so good.

“I’m super impressed with Austin Trout,” Feldman, BKFC founder and president, said on Wednesday. “I’m super impressed with his transition, what he did in bare knuckle. … He learned how to fight bare knuckle and he’s fighting sensationally, and he’s one of the best fighters in our organization right now.”

Less impressed is Trinidad (6-0 BKFC).

“I think Austin’s fought nothing but cans,” Trinidad said — using an abbreviated form of “tomato can,” boxing terminology for a weak opponent. “I think I’m the best opponent he’s ever fought here in bare knuckle.

“I don’t think he’s had a real fight here in the BKFC, and I’m gonna bring it to him. I do feel like I can knock Austin Trout out. I will take that (title) belt.”

Dream on, Trout said.

“All right, my man is for real delusional,” Trout said. “I’ve fought what I think is the best in the league so far. And I’m looking forward to taking out the No. 1 contender so I can go to another weight class and get that belt.”

Addressing Trinidad, he said, “You’re just a stepping stone in my way.”

Back and forth they went.

Trinidad: “Definitely not, dude. I will take that belt from you. You will not show me anything.”

Trout: “Did you learn to tuck your chin? Is that chin still in the air?”

Trinidad: “We’ll see if you can find it. Six opponents haven’t been able to find it.”

Final word from Trout: “This is playtime. You’re gonna see. I’m gonna play with this guy.”