Felix Trinidad

Like many people, you might be asking would be interested in forking over $49.95 to watch former champions Roy Jones Jr. (51-4, 38 KOs) and Felix Trinidad (42-2, 35 KOs) go at next week on January 19th, at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, New York. Much as this fight would have been an intriguing bout around 10 years ago, when both Jones and Trinidad were in their prime, it’s hardly interesting to watch either of them know that they’re badly faded as fighters.

Trinidad, who turned 35 today, has done little in the ring in the past seven years, fighting only four times and losing half of the bouts, both resulting in retirements on Trinidad’s part. In his last bout, Trinidad was beaten by Winky Wright, losing a 12-round unanimous decision on May 2005. The loss was made worse by the fact that it was completely one-sided, with Trinidad losing almost every round of the fight. He looked old and shot, even then, and he doesn’t figure to have gotten any younger since then. Of course, Wright, a fighter with excellent defensive skills, is the type of opponent that would give almost any fighter big problems. However, instead of moving on and continuing fighting, Trinidad retired for the second time. Not something that exactly made him look good to his many fans. Trinidad’s fan, however, are quick to forget his defeats and the way he gave up boxing afterwards.

With only a month to go before Felix Trinidad (42-2, 35 KOs) comes out of retirement – for the second time – to face Roy Jones Jr., I’m wondering how much Trinidad has left in the tank at this stage in his career. At 34, soon to be 35 by the time they fight, Trinidad is getting up their in age, and hasn’t looked good in recent press conferences, appearing fat and, well, old. He’s old fought twice in the past five years, winning one (an 8th round TKO over Ricardo Mayorga in October 2004) and losing a one-sided 12-round unanimous decision to Winky Wright in May 2005, prompting yet another retirement from Trinidad.

Former eight-time world champion Roy Jones Jr. (51-4, 38 KOs) predicted that he’ll be stopping Felix Trinidad (42-2, 35 KOs) in four rounds for their January 19th bout, adding also “I can fight at practically any weight right now. I can drop down to 168 pounds and take on (Joe) Calzaghe. I’ll fight him anywhere he wants. Jones Jr. is back and ready to fight.” Jones, 39, appears to have a new found love for boxing now that he’s reaching the end of his career. His mouth, however, seems the same as ever with his bold prediction of stopping Trinidad. The fight will be taking place at a 170 lb catch weight, as the 34 year-old Trinidad’s normal weight – at least in his prime, that is – class is 147 (welterweight) and will be at a decided disadvantage.

Three-time division winner Felix Trinidad (42-2, 35 knockouts) will be coming out of his 2nd retirement on January 19, 2008, when he takes on four-time division winner light heavyweight Roy Jones Jr. (51-4, 38 KOs) at New York’s Madison Square Garden. This is kind of a desperation fight for both of them. Neither of them are considered top fighters at this advanced stage of their career, with Trinidad turning 35 and Jones 39-years old by the time the fight takes place in January. Trinidad, in particular, has struggled, losing a 12th round TKO to Bernard Hopkins in 2001, followed shortly thereafter by a two year retirement. After resuming his career in 2004 with a sensational 8th round TKO of Ricardo Mayorga, Trinidad turned around and lost a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision to Winky Wright in May 2005. This, too, was followed by another two year retirement.

Now, suddenly Trinidad has a itch to return to the boxing ring, but this time it’s going to be against Jones, who is on the downward slope of a once great career. A major problem for Trinidad, however, is that the weight it going to be fought at a 170 lb “catch weight,” a figure that both fighters agreed upon.