Who will be the welterweight champ’s next dance partner?
(Photo Courtesy: BKFC)
Austin Trout (2-0), a former WBA World champion and now BKFC Welterweight champion, has gone more than three months since his last performance and there’s still no word on his next fight. There are SO many options available for BK Nations #1 Pound for Pound Fighter. And in this article we will go over each of them.
Luis Palomino (Rematch)
The most obvious choice, and rightfully so, Luis Palomino (9-1, 3 KO’s) was 9-0 heading into BKFC 57, where he would lose to Trout for the vacant title. I might be in the minority here, but I don’t need to see this again. The first bout wasn’t competitive, and how much improvement can Palomino make in the short time between bouts? While I certainly wouldn’t complain if this fight was made, BKFC is ushering in a new era, Bryan Duran and Alberto Blas are south of 30 and have earned title shots. It's time for the welterweight division to follow suit and begin this new time in BKFC.
(Photo Courtesy: BKFC)
Bryce Henry
This might be a bit of an overcorrection from the Palomino rematch, but 23 year old Bryce Henry (4-0, 4 KO’S) is the real deal. Coming over from pro boxing with a 6-0 record, he has translated his skill perfectly going 4-0, with four stoppages. And they aren't nothing wins either, guys like Brandon Shavers, Tom Shoaff, and Robbie Peralta are all solid BKFC fighters with solid records, Henry is by no means getting a cushy ride to a title shot.
Carlos Trinidad-Snake
There could be some recency bias in this one, but a 5-0 record in the division can’t be denied. With his most recent win over Dustin Pague on the 17th, Carlos Trinidad-Snake (5-0, 3 KO's) has thrown himself directly into the spotlight. And given the fact that he was the A-side headliner he could carry the starpower needed to sell a main event alongside Trout. The only thing about “Uzumaki” is his inactivity, he’s made just one appearance in the last year. While he might not be the next challenger, another win in short order could bump him to the front of the line.
Elvin Brito
The first champ vs. the new champ. Elvin Brito (6-4, 2 KO’s) was on a hot streak from July of 2020-January of 2022, winning four straight in that time, the fourth being for the title. He then hit a rough patch losing to Luis Palomino and Carlos Trinidad-Snake in back-to-back fights. After taking nearly a year away from the sport, he came back in emphatic fashion stopping Ja’Far Fortt in one round, his first stoppage since his debut in 2018. Brito took to the mic after the fight to call out Trout. However unlikely it is he fights him next, given his last performance we may see him go on another run that results in another championship opportunity.
(Photo Courtesy: BKFC)
Tony “Loco” Soto
This one goes a different direction. Trout stated to BK Nation that he wanted the fight with Palomino to originally take place at 155, where Trout spent most of his boxing career. Palomino was the lightweight champ but gave up the belt to face Trout at 165. Meaning the lightweight title is wide open and there’s one clear guy who deserves to fight for it, Tony “Loco” Soto (6-0, 3 KO’s). While this option doesn’t solve the welterweight side of the problem, it does give Trout his next fight!
To wrap up, I think the most likely is a Palomino rematch. The most fun would be a bout with Bryce Henry, but no matter what the fans will “No Doubt”, be pleased.
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