By Mark Vester
Several weeks ago, I reported that Felix "Tito" Trinidad was claiming to be in the best physical shape of his career. Maybe he's not exaggerating. Felix Trinidad Sr. tells Endi that his son is just about 170-pounds, the agreed upon catch-weight for the Jan. 19 showdown with Roy Jones Jr. The bout will televised by HBO pay-per-view from New York's Madison Square Garden.
Trinidad has never fought at 170-pounds, and Jones has not fought below light heavyweight since 1996. Jones went as high as heavyweight for his 2003 bout with then WBA champion John Ruiz. After beating Ruiz, Jones went divisions south, back to the light heavyweight limit. He was never the same fighter after bulking up with 25-pounds of muscle for Ruiz and then working it all off to fight Antonio Tarver in the same year.
Jones has been 2-3 in his last five bouts since 2004. In two of the three losses, he was knocked out. Even when considering the shaky chin of Jones, the years inactivity and an obvious decline in skill, he's still a heavy favorite to win against the smaller man.
The bout will be Trinidad's first since a lopsided decision loss to Winky Wright on May 14, 2005.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com