By Rick Reeno
 
This coming Saturday, a dream bout between two fan favorites is taking place at New York's Madison Square Garden. Former three-division champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad (42-2, 35 KOs) will come out of retirement after a near thirty-two month layoff to challenge former four-division champion Roy Jones Jr. (51-4, 38 KOs) at a catch-weight of 170-pounds.
 
Trinidad has never fought above 160-pounds and the last time he was seen in the ring, back in May 05, he was dominated in all twelve of his one-sided rounds with Winky Wight. The last time we saw Jones being Jones, was probably back in 2003 when he outboxed John Ruiz to capture the WBA heavyweight title. Jones, no stranger to weight issues, has not fought below 175-pounds since 1996. On paper the fight appears to be closer than many expect, or at least closer than it would have been in 2002, but most experts are still predicting a blowout victory by Jones.
 
The event, televised by HBO pay-per-view, has been bludgeoned with sea of criticism from all corners of the boxing world. Many fans, and writers, are unhappy with the fight being sold as a $50 dollar pay-per-view and many eyebrows were raised over the unusually high ticket prices. Many of the articles published in major newspapers and credible boxing websites, pertaining to Trinidad-Jones, slammed the fight as a whole.
 
The staff of BoxingScene.com comes together to voice their opinions, strategies and predictions for the big fight.
 
Michael Katz - This is like picking the winner of the 2010 NHL all-star game. Nobody cares and nobody knows how much each of these 'titans' has left. Off their old form, it's a mismatch - Jones too big, too fast, too good. But with a 39-year-old chin, he's no longer a sure thing. My pick: this fight dies a deserved death at the box office.

Keith Idec - Roy Jones by 10th-round KO. You don't end a nearly three-year layoff against someone who is better, bigger and stronger, even if Jones is a little slower at 39 than he once was. 

Jake Donovan - This is the fight I've always dreaded. One of my all-time favorites (Jones) against my absolute all-time favorite (Tito). I've never picked against either fighter at any point in their careers, in tito's case never hesitating to pick him the moment one of his fights are announced, a fact two-time trainer of the year and good chum Dan Birmingham, Winky Wright's lifelong trainer) STILL reminds me of whenever he sees me. But there's a first time for everything. As much as I'd like to believe that Tito has it in him to land one last great bomb and possibly end his career on a high note (though we all know he'll still continue to fight anyway), I just don't see it happening. Roy is on the downside, but nowhere near as shot as everyone insists is the case. That, plus Tito coming off of a near 3-year layoff and fighting 10 lb. above his career heaviest, has me believing that Roy will have his way with El Gran Campeon. Roy will check his chin early, and if he doesn't believe he can get rid of him without taking back anything in return, then he'll potshot his way to a wide (possibly shutout) unanimous decision, with perhaps a knockdown or two along the way. Jones by UD.

Tim Smith - Roy Jones by TKO in seven. Jones is bigger, faster and stronger.

Cliff Rold - If they had fought in 2001, it's Jones by KO, probably in 3 or less.  In 2007 it's Jones, probably in 3 or less. If they meet again one day in heaven and Tito is carried on the wings of Gabriel to battle, it's Jones, probably in 3 or less. 
 
Patrick Kehoe - It's interesting how many people in boxing and the media are assuming that Roy Jones will crush Trinidad, one big shot and it's finito Tito! The question in this fight is will Tito have the patience to work the jab, which Jones never does, to make openings when Jones rests on the ropes, which has become a reoccurring theme in Jones' fights in the 21 Century.
 
The problem for Tito is his lack of hand and foot speed and getting clipped by left hooks. Tito's been vulnerable to counter left hooks his entire career and that's the one good punch that Jones can still produce with his back against the ropes. Therein lies the drama of Jones vs. Trinidad. Who will win the strategic chessmatch along the ropes? Tito will stalk and periodically punish with Jones resting, readying to harpoon the hunter. In mid ring it should be all Jones.
 
Cautionary Notes: Jones has been flattened twice in 2 of his last 5 fights, losing 3 of those 5 and Tito's reflexive agility in the ring has evaporated. Team Trinidad think punchers manhandle the aging R.J. (now 39) and Master Jones believes Tito's too small and too small to last against him.
 
The End: The truth is either guy could go; but, I pick Jones to get the stoppage in round 6... 170 is just too heavy for Tito! Pow! a double left hook takes care of Tito.
 
CompuBox/Bob Canobbio - Roy Jones by decision. He does enough to blunt the smaller man Tito's advances, but not enough to score the KO he predicted.

Dave Sholler - The man who presides over the five-dollar bill once said "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." While we can all get warm and fuzzy about Abraham Lincoln's quote, the truth is that both Roy Jones Jr. and Felix Trinidad must prove to the boxing community that they still deserve to be headlining an HBO PPV. In essence, the duo must realize that the toughest pill for fans to swallow is often the one where former greats hang on for too long. With that said, Jones and Trinidad have to demonstrate that regardless of what they've accomplished, there's still reason to believe they are fit to fight.
 
Heading into Saturday night's bout, Jones predicted victory by the 4th round, while Trinidad vowed to stop the self-described "Superman" inside two. When it's all said and done at Madison Square Garden, Jones' crystal ball should be more accurate. In addition to being stronger than the Puerto Rican star, Jones has been more active in recent years. In a bout featuring two fading competitors, Trinidad's rust will be the deciding factor.
 
Prediction: Jones Jr. by sixth round stoppage.

TK Stewart - The San Juan sun has set on Felix Trinidad and it's twilight time in Roy Jones'  Pensacola.  Whatever the case, Jones wins this one big.  He still has way more left than "Tito" does and at 170 Jones will be quick and fast whereas Tito will be bloated and tired.  I like Jones by a knockout - maybe early.
 
Jose Aguirre - Former four-division champion Roy Jones Jr. will give former-three division champion Felix Tito Trinidad a late birthday gift by handing a certified boxing lesson. At the same time Jones will be giving himself a late birthday gift, a win against a fellow future hall-of-famer. 

Alphonso Costello - Jones and Trinidad are still active? Well this fight will turn out to be a bore. Roy Jones Jr. in four. I guess.
 
Jaime Estrada - Roy Jones to win the easy money fight.
 
James Blears - No prediction because this is a pointless fight going nowhere. In their primes, which was a long time ago, neither could have been matched. I just hope no one gets hurt, especially Jones, who doesn’t have much punch resistance left. Will the winner fight Don King?

John Hively - Jones should stop Trinidad. He's too fast for Felix. If Oscar and Hopkins can box a prime Trinidad's ears off, a past-his-prime Roy is too big, too fast, too hard a puncher, for an rusty, aging, well worn Felix. That being said, maybe Trinidad has a few tricks up his sleeve to make the fight look competitive for a few rounds. This fight might even go the distance if Roy allows it to by not fighting as aggressively as he can. This mismatch between two past their prime former greats should never have been made.
This fight is happening a few years too late but can they give fight fans a great fight to go along with their great names? If the old RJ shows up I think we may be in for a great night of boxing. Roy Jones Jr will prove to be too big, too fast and too strong for Tito Trinidad at 170-pounds. Roy Jones Jr. by decision over Felix Tito Trinidad.

Ernest Gabion - Jones is too big and too fast for a Tito who's been off for over 30 months and had his last fight at 160. Roy Jones Jr. by TKO in 6.

Don Colgan - Jones is washed up and, unless he reaches way, way back for a vintage 1998 performance, I don't see how he can withstand Tito's power. I see Roy holding his own for two or three sessions, then gradually succumbing to Trinidad's attack. Look for one or two 6th round knockdowns and possibly a brutal knockout in the 7th session. Trinidad by KO in 7.
 
Larry Tornambe - Even though both Trinidad and Jones are not at the top of their games, Jones is much better than Trinidad at this stage.  I can't imagine how Felix feels he can win this bout.  Based on his most recent performances, and mucho time off, I don't see any way Trinidad can be competitive. I feel that Jones has enough skill and hand speed left to annihilate Trinidad within 6 rounds.
 
Dave Wilcox - This fight is a complete joke. Trinidad didn't win a round against Winky Wright.  I think Jones is way past his best as well, but with his size advantage and his boxing ability, even a past-his-prime Jones should have no trouble with Tito.  Let me know how it goes, because I won't waste my time or money on this garbage. I think UCLA is going against Oregon State in Women's Basketball that night. I'm busy. If Tito looks like he did against Wright, Jones should knock him out. If Tito is sharp, easy decision for Jones.
 
Richie Maldonado - Roy Jones Jr. by humiliation.
 
Paul Gallegos -  I predict that everyone who buys into this fight is a sucker and boxing should be ashamed for having this on pay-per-view. Old name fighters fighting old name fighters with nothing on the line. Where was this Roy Jones and Tito fight when it could have meant something? Roy will win the fight via a mediocre performance and elevate himself into a major fight. Sad, but true.
 
Dan Creighton - I've got Roy Jones winning a dull decision.
 
Ron Gallegos - Roy Jones used to be one of my favorite fighters. Pound for pound he was the best. I liked Muhammad Ali as well.  Smokin' Joe was right up there and Foreman is still is a favorite. And then there's Jersey Joe and Marciano and Willie Pep. If any of the above are still alive and capable of a few rounds, let's put them on pay per view. They can make a few bucks and we get our fix.  Who will win this one, Tito or Roy?  Probably Tito. I don't think he's spent yet.  Roy really needs to go enjoy all the money he's made.  What's next?  American Gladiators, The Dance King, or World Wrestling Federation. Look for Tito with a KO in the seventh.  Hate to see that happen to Roy, but age beats us all. 
 
Joe Harrison - It is unfortunate that it's taken so long for these two warriors to finally meet.  Now the fight is upon us and it's difficult to say which of them has enough left in the tank.  Trinidad hasn't fought in years, Jones hasn't fought elite competition in years.  If anyone has an advantage it would have to be Jones.  Not only has he stayed active, but he's having Trinidad fight above 160 pounds for the first time.  As much as I can see another power puncher sending Jones to the canvas yet again, I believe it is more likely that Jones has enough skills left to outbox Trinidad for twelve rounds. Jones by decision
 
Carlos Irusta - I pick Roy Jones by KO. In my opinion, Trinidad had lost the train some years ago (at Penn Station, when he was kayoed by Hopkins) and Father Time is unbeatable. Jones, of course, is not in his prime either, but I think he will be the winner without any trouble.
 
Bradley Yeh - Prediction; this is a hard fight for me to make a concise prediction with, as it’s hard to know precisely where Jones’ and Trinidad’s athleticism, skills & reflexes are at their current ages. If you're going to listen to all that's said by the guys themselves, my guess is that if you divide by two all that each guy has been saying about their own abilities, you're probably closer to the mark.
 
That doesn’t mean one of the knockouts each is predicting will not come through though.
 
Jones’ has probably been the more active fighter of the two over the last five years, but his level of competition in my opinion is very questionable, as it has known to be at times, even in his prime. Tito has been far less active than Jones recently, but he has engaged in fights with measurably better competition (Wright & Mayorga) during the last five years, even if they have been noticeably less frequent.
 
In his prime Tito, for the most part faced great competition, and prior to Hopkins he regularly flogged them or knocked them out or both. Sure he didn’t look great against Winky, but as a blogger on boxingscene.com rightly said, “Tito may not have looked so great against Winky in his prime either”.
 
Winky is a hard nut to crack. Unless head-butted of course.
 
Trinidad’s fights with Vargas, Oscar, Whittaker, Reid, & Joppy were text book lessons on either technical boxing or search and destroy fighting. Without doubt, Trinidad has taken bigger risks with his matchmaking and I believe this is why he has the more genuine record with dangerous fighters all throughout his career, and it is probably why Tito still enjoys a heroes following.
 
For me, when reflecting upon Jones’ uncanny athleticism of his past years, there’s a slight coincidence between the decline of Jones’ super human skills and the announcement of the Balco scandal. I appreciate that this is not going to be received favorably by some Jones fanatics, but in my opinion you have to search through Jones’ career a little bit harder to find the same quality of opposition that Tito more-regularly tested himself with. I am aware that Jones defeated Toney and Hopkins, and I have enjoyed watching Jones fight.
 
But does all this mean the prediction is any easier?
 
It’s often said that boxing is a game of physical psychology, and if that's true then the amount of beatings a fighter has worn surely goes a long way toward defining not just his mindset, but also lifespan at the top. To my knowledge Tito has worn the least punishment in those fights where his hand hasn’t been raised at the end. Furthermore, I get the feeling that Jones is slightly underestimating Trinidad in this fight, perhaps banking on the perceived speed & weight advantage that Jones see himself possessing.
Looking at how Jones has been hit easily in recent fights whilst his right hand was down; Jones’ chin wont want to stray too close to any Trinidad left hook in my opinion. Likewise Tito surely will hope that Jones doesn’t come in as refreshed and invigorated as Jones states will be the case, now that he has “recovered” from the “weight” of years gone by as claimed.
 
With all that said, going on past performances and in consideration of the fact that Jones didn’t KO Anthony Hanshaw or Prince (whatever his last name was), in his last two fights, it becomes pretty clear that if Felix Trinidad comes into the fight in similar condition to that with which he faced Wright, he should not be getting knocked out by Jones.
 
JC Casarez - Roy Jones Jr. wins by TKO. I expect Roy’s speed to present too many problems for Trinidad early. Sure Trinidad can punch but while Jones may not be the same fighter who was pound for pound years ago, he's remained somewhat active and that will definitely become a telling factor. Look for Roy to get a stoppage mid-fight as the smaller Trinidad plays catch up and shows signs of ring rust from being retired for almost three-years.
 
Patrick Connor - This matchup would've been much more interesting had Trinidad defeated Hopkins in 2001, but both still have just a hint of what made them great and both certainly have their names. As to the fight itself though, even 6+ years later, Roy Jones is probably still much quicker than Trinidad and Tito still probably has that punching power. Look for a few iffy moments for Roy early on, leading to a boring decision most people wished they hadn't paid for.
 
Rick Reeno - It's hard to back Trinidad in this fight. The biggest question mark in the fight is Trinidad. Does he have enough punching power to make it competitive at 170? Does he have anything left after a near three-year layoff?

If he actually has some pop at 170, he stands a decent chance of winning - if he makes it past six-rounds. Most are judging Trinidad's punching power by his brief stint at 160-pounds. He was able to blow away smaller middleweights like Joppy and Cherifi, but his power had little to no effect on Winky Wright and Bernard Hopkins. It's not really fair to judge his power at middleweight based on Wright and Hopkins, who possess two of better chins in the sport. In reality, Trinidad's two losses were against two of the better technical fighters of our era, and both were in their prime.

Jones was very hittable in his last fight with Hanshaw. The defense was gone. According to CompuBox, Hanshaw was able to land more punches on Jones than any previous opponent in the 29 fights (involving Jones) they covered. Jones was never one to throw a lot of punches in a fight, but he still appeared to be tired down the stretch against Hanshaw. Even when he dropped Hanshaw and got him in trouble in the eleventh, he was too tired to finish him off.

In my opinion, Trinidad has faster hands than Hanshaw. If Trinidad connects big and Jones eats the punch without flinching - the fight is officially over for Puerto Rican superstar. If he connects and Jones buckles, expect a close fight down the stretch with Jones going into a shell and using his skills and quicker feet to win a "boxing" contest.

I just don't think Jones is that far gone where a fighter like Trinidad is able to come out of retirement after nearly three-years on bench and beats him. This is the last shot for both of them. The winner, as crazy as it sounds, will be in position for a sizable payday against Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe or maybe someone else at 168 or 175. After the smoke clears, I expect Jones to overwhelm Trinidad to the point where some people will actually think "he's back."