Austin Trout ready for ESPN return

Former Junior Middleweight titleholder Austin "No Doubt" Trout (26-2, 14 KOs, ESPN.com No. 6 ranked Junior Middleweight) will meet former Junior Middleweight title challenger Daniel "Awesome" Dawson (40-3-1, 26 KOs) Friday, August 22, in the 10-round main event on the season finale of ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes' Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra. Friday's show from the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif., will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Main Event:

Mexico's Trout, a veteran of six world title fights, is looking to get back to the top following a 12-round unanimous decision loss to defending Jr. Middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara and a 12-round unanimous decision loss to former titlist Canelo Alvarez. Australia's Dawson, who is undefeated in his last seven fights, is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision win over Alex Bunema.

"I've been watching videos of Daniel Dawson," Trout said. "He has a few losses; two of them have been against former world champs. He gave Daniel Geale one hell of a fight - losing a very controversial decision. We know he's a tough cookie. He also has a lot of experience - he has 40-plus fights, and he's a former Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion...I feel like when I'm on top of my game, nobody can beat me. I'm ready to get back on top."

Dawson said, "Austin Trout is a fantastic fighter, one of the best boxers in the division. I've got nothing but praise for him; he's done great in his career. It's very exciting to be matched up to show what I can do against a fighter the caliber of him."

Co-Feature:

Friday's 10-round Jr. Welterweight co-feature will pit Eric Boné (14-1, 8 KOs) of New York against Mexico's Mahonri "Rusito" Montes (28-3-1, 20 KOs). In his last outing, Boné scored a fifth-round TKO over Frankie Figueroa. Montes is looking to score another win following an eight-round unanimous decision win over Jesus Valenzuela.