TRINIDAD VS VARGAS…COMING OF AGE

LAS VEGAS (INSIDE BOXING) December 2, 2000 will be a historical moment for one of the two exciting junior middleweights as the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino should be rocking. Both fighters had been relatively cordial until this past week when Vargas claimed disrespect from Trinidad. This probably being a self motivator for Vargas, Trinidad says that the pre-fight publicity allows tension and emotions to escalate. Trinidad has seen this scenario many times before. Vargas is stepping into the big time spotlight for only the second time. The pressure seems to already be getting to the talented Vargas while Trinidad remains cool, calm and collected.

The troubled past of Fernando Vargas is well documented. School suspensions and street fights while a youngster led him to believe that the boxing ring was a place to learn self control while at the same time be an avenue to vent his anger and frustrations. It was not long before Vargas was deemed a legitimate boxing talent. But as old habits seem to never die Vargas was a little too impatient and went after neighborhood rival Oscar de la Hoya. The "Golden Boy" as de la Hoya used to be called, adamantly refused to discuss a potential bout with Vargas for what de la Hoya claims was a lack of respect. Vargas publicly "called out" de la Hoya on numerous occasions only to be forced to wait for another challenge while de la Hoya has plummeted downward with his last two fights ending in defeat. Vargas now realizes he no longer needs de la Hoya. Quite the contrary for de la Hoya as he now will need to fight Vargas in order to gain any serious amount of respect in the boxing community.

Felix Trinidad is now a definite hero in the Puerto Rican community. Defeating the likes of Ike Quartey, Oscar de la Hoya and a tough French number one contender Trinidad has said he has his sights set on moving to the middleweight division where the likes of Bernard Hopkins and William Joppy await him. Trinidad claims that after unifying the middleweight division he plans on moving up to the light heavyweight division to take on the currently unbeaten and unchallenged Roy Jones, Jr. Quite a daunting task for anyone much less a fighter who has such a tough bout looming in his path on December 2^nd.

But this is Felix Trinidad. No longer waiting for the big payday he realizes that fighting the best fighters will allow big purses to be demanded. Laying out a map of his boxing future may seem a little arrogant to some, but Trinidad had to have a plan. A boxer only has so many good years before he becomes a circus side-show such as George Foreman.

Saturday night there will be no running. There will be no quitting. There will be action from the opening bell.

Fernando Vargas has to attack Felix Trinidad immediately. The Vargas camp has to be aware of the notorious slow stars where Trinidad has been susceptible to being knocked down in the early rounds. They also must be aware that these early knockdowns seemed to have awaken the "sleeping giant" in Trinidad. In all of these bouts he has come back with a tenacity few fighters possess. If Vargas can apply pressure early and maintain that pressure throughout the fight he has a good chance at coming away with the decision. Big time pressure could even result in a knockout.

Felix Trinidad has to realize Vargas is not a quitter and will be there for all 12 rounds of this fight. Trinidad can overcome the aggressiveness of Vargas by doing just what he has done in the fight promotions. Remain cool, calm and collected. Boxing Vargas and not getting into a slugfest should frustrate the youngster early and allow Trinidad the luxury of being able to dictate the pace of the fight. If this scenario were to unfold Trinidad could win a narrow decision. Should Vargas become so frustrated that he takes an unnecessary chance or two don’t be surprised to see a knockout.

Fernando Vargas feels he has something to prove. He claims he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Vargas feels he has to win. And win big! He also has to wait his turn. His time will come but stepping up in competition allows a fighter to taste defeat…and see what is really inside.

Defeat is devastating to some fighters. Others come back with a vengeance.

Patience has always been a struggle for Fernando Vargas. His time to dominate the junior middleweight division is very near. Now is not the time. Let’s see if he has matured as both a fighter and a man.

Trinidad feels he has something to prove. He claims he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Trinidad knows that a defeat at the hands of Vargas will derail his plans at moving up in weight and acquiring titles in the next two weight divisions. Possibly forever. He will use his experience and boxing abilities to frustrate the talented newcomer. Felix Trinidad is ready to move on to bigger and better things.

Felix Trinidad will win a close decision. How Fernando Vargas and his contingent handle that is of concern to many. It is common knowledge that Vargas is buddies with Mike Tyson and Zab Judah. A pair of boxing’s "Bad Boys". Security will be tight as Don King is well aware of the element that will be in attendance on Saturday night. Felix Trinidad has always maintained a degree of respectability in the ring. Fernando Vargas has not. Vargas seems to have matured. He is the father of two young boys and is extremely dedicated to providing them with what he never had when he grew up. Having a father present who teaches that not everything in life goes your way at the time you want it. You have to be patient!

Fernando Vargas has a lot more riding on the outcome of this fight than does Felix Trinidad. Respectability and maturity will manifest themselves in some way or another. Here’s hoping the Fernando Vargas who is father first and fighter second emerges for all to see.

Felix Trinidad will have to get ready to back up his talk of moving up in weight class and unifying those titles. He will no longer be allowed to dictate his schedule. He has laid the ground work himself. He will be a very busy man in the next 2 to 3 years. Let’s see if he’s as good as he thinks he is.

Boy Wonder

12/01/00