To extend his punishment? Tito disliked vargas in the build up to the fight. He said he wanted to punish him. He could have knocked him out in the 1st round but let up. In the 12th tito looked fresh and quick and promptly disposed of vargas pretty quickly. Was this done on purpose to teach vargas a lesson?
I doubt it. Vargas knocked Trinidad down in the 4th round. Trinidad got up and threw a low blow to give himself more time to recover
I doubt it Trinidad dropped Vargas twice in the opening minute, but Vargas did a great job surviving and then dropping Tito in the fourth and dominating the 5th. Tito took control back late in the 6th round with a long right hand. The 9th round was great back and forth action, but the punishment Vargas was taking was adding it. George Foreman had said during the fight that Vargas’s best chance to was just play it safe and that if he tries to exchange left hooks, the fight will be over. I respect Vargas for taking the chances, but that’s what happened. He tried to exchange left hooks in the final round and that was it
Felix Tito Trinidad was like a Welterweight version of a Floyd Patterson, Tito usually tasted the canvas early to later dismantle an opponent.
No, I’ve spent a lot of time around Tito and this fight almost always comes up. He said Vargas was very strong, very courageous and gave him a great fight. He said Vargas talked too much and he’s one of the opponents he wanted to punish the most but he definitely didn’t carry him. He was definitely setting him up for a punishing KO finish towards the end but that’s because he’s a great finisher who had a tough opponent in front of him.
I never got any sense that Tito carried Vargas so am not surprised that he confirmed that with @ChrisJS.
It’s as simple as this Trinidad wasn’t far enough out of any world class opponent’s league to be in a position to carry them.
Uh... Trinidad wasn't in the business of carrying an opponent he always went for the kill if Vargas lasted till the last round it was due to his heart and surviving skills cause believe if it was up to Tito he would have stopped him in the first round and he almost did.
I am under the impression he did not carry Vargas. In fact, it upsets me quite a bit that Vargas had a great turn around in the fight that was spoiled by an obvious low blow. Would love to see how it finishes if that doesn't happen.
Very doubtful in my opinion. Trinidad was always respectful to his opponents, even those who did not deserve it ( Vargas, Mayorga) I saw almost all of his fights with the exception of the last two or three ( I hate seeing fighters I like going past their shelf life, knowing that their best has passed them by) Trinidad wasn't sadistic ( Tyson vs Biggs) or trying to embarass them ( Ali vs Terrell) for a perceived slight. Trinidad seemed to me just about the business of beating the opponents in front of him. No anger or personal vendetta's Just beat the opponents in front of him,and if they want to, they can go have a few beers after it.
Absolutely not ... Vargas fought like an animal and Tito outlasted and outclassed him in a brutal war that ruined Vargas ... Fernando was never the same fighter ...
Vargas was well known for his strength going back to his amateur days. What Tito said to you has been echoed by numerous fighters with Oscar and Ike Quartey saying the same thing. Quartey was especially known for his strength at 147 but at 154 Vargas pushed him back made him fight when he didn't want too. Tito was brilliant that night against a very dangerous and physically strong Vargas. It's a shame that Vargas's bad back and outside the ring excesses robbed him of what looked to be a hall of fame career. On another note Chris, I'm curious what other fights/fighters Tito discussed with you. I'm huge Tito fan and would l9ve to hear more stories.
I’ve basically spoken to him about all of his fights and his amateur career in detail too. I’ll actually go see him again next month. I might do a Q & A with him and have people submit questions. David Reid, he had a lot of respect for. Said he was very strong, hit hard, good skills. That’s a fight he enjoyed a lot (as did I). Vargas fight is his favorite one. One thing he told me, which gave me goosebumps is he said how great it made him feel when he came back to Puerto Rico after fights and he’d get off the plane and everyone waited for him and would be chanting his name and how they’d do parades afterwards and everyone came out. One thing that really impresses me about him is his humility. He’s as humble as they come and extremely friendly.
