By Mark Vester
In a recent interview with El Nuevo Dia, Felix Trinidad Sr, father/trainer/manager of Felix "Tito" Trinidad, said his son's inability to land rematches with Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya does not mean he will retire for a third time. Tito will take his time before making any kind of decision regarding a possible third retirement.
As we recently reported, Trinidad turned down a possible bout with former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. He said a bout with Taylor does not "motivate him" enough to continue his career in boxing.
Both De La Hoya and Hopkins have recently turned down possible rematches with Trinidad, but his father is not surprised. If another big name comes into the picture, Tito will continue to fight.
"It's nothing new because De Le Hoya has ruled out another fight since Tito won (in 1999). Hopkins has ruled against it too (since beating Tito in 2001)," Felix Sr said. "All of it is nothing new, but it doesn't mean the end of Tito's career."
Felix Sr said a few days ago that his son is not looking to become a contender again or work his way to a title shot, he only returned after a near three-year layoff to land "the big fights." He still thinks his son can land rematches with De La Hoya and Hopkins in the future. Many others doubt he will.
De La Hoya has promised to retire this year. He faces Steve Forbes on May 3 and then a rematch Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September. Should De La Hoya win both, a possible clash with Miguel Cotto could happen in December. He is open to fighting Trinidad, but not above 154-pounds. Since Trinidad, who last fought at 170, is unable to get down to 160, making the fight is impossible. Hopkins on the other hand has hinted at retirement as well. He said prior to the Joe Calzaghe bout that he would retire regardless of the outcome. He also said a rematch with Trinidad does not interest him.
"I told (promoter Don King) that a fight against De La Hoya could be at 165-pounds, or a fight with Hopkins at 170. We've seen both of them change their minds before," Felix Sr said. "As one radio station says over there, the news changes. Tito returned in January after three years to fight a legend, Roy Jones Jr. He needs the right fight to motivate him."
Trinidad previously retired in 2002, not long after his knockout loss to Hopkins and then retired for the second time in 2005 after he lost a twelve-round decision to Winky Wright.
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