Trinidad Conflicated Over Making a Hopkins Rematch
By Mark Vester
Felix "Tito" Trinidad is conflicted on making a decision as to whether he should return to the ring in a rematch with Bernard Hopkins or fully retire from the sport. Promoter Don King met with Trinidad last week in Puerto Rico to discuss a possible rematch with Hopkins at the end of the year. Trinidad has not fought since last January's decision loss to Roy Jones Jr. Prior to the fight with Jones, Trinidad was out of the ring for almost three years. Hopkins is open to a rematch but denies reports that he is pursuing the fight.
"I know that I have people who are in favor of the fight and others who are not. That will be very important in deciding if I should continue in the boxing. There are mixed opinions. Those who are younger want me to return to the ring, but those who are older have affection. They saw me go through a lot of fights, and they have asked me not to continue. I understand that the opinions [on the matter] are around 50-50. To make a decision on whether I do more in the boxing - will be my decision. I have to think about my wife (Sharon) and my daughters, and my entire family. What they think will weight heavy on my decision, but the final decision will be mine," Trinidad told Primera Hora.
Trinidad would like to get revenge for the 2001 knockout loss to Hopkins. At the same time he is not trying to rush himself into the rematch.
"There is no desperation. I am relaxed. It is something that I have to take very serious, as I've done throughout my career, since Hopkins is a tremendous champion and was the boxer that took away my undefeated record. The fight interests me, but it all depends on him," Trinidad said. "I do not depend on a fight with Hopkins to be happy. He beat me and never gave me a rematch. Hopkins knows that in a second fight he wouldn't win."
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com
