I have this feeling that Trinidad would suffer his traditional 2nd round knockdown. But unlike fighters like Cortes, Campas, Carr, and Lueshing, this is Julian ****ing Jackson we are talking about. Tito gets up on really shaky legs, and the ref calls it. Not as brutal as the Norris stoppage (how on earth did Norris actually make it to his feet after those two shots?), but likewise, a 2nd round stoppage with a fighter on his feet but way too shaky to continue.
Great matchup Jackson had more power, at least at this weight, but Tito was the better catcher. He was a little harder to hit too. I think Tito would win by late stoppage
I agree this is a great matchup that could go either way. But, I disagree that Tito was the better catcher. Trinidad had great stamina and recuperative powers, but, his chin was anything but sturdy. Until he was in his mid thirties and had undergone 3 or more eye surgeries, the only time Jackson went down at all was against ATG Mike McCallum in a shootout where anybody other than the granite chinned McCallum would have probably been starched. If Jackson had a weak chin, surely he would have suffered more than one knockdown (and one he did get up from) in his first 50 fights. On the other hand, Tito went down almost every time he took a significant punch. He was down against Campas, Anthony Stephens, Oba Carr, and even a nobody like Kevin Leusching Had him down. Vargas had him down and in trouble, and his stoppage against the much larger Bernard Hopkins occurred without any major league punches landing. (Although, clearly, he was outclassed boxing-wise by Bernard). Tito usually enjoyed a pretty good size and power advantage over his opponents. He would have neither with Jackson (who is also slightly faster of both hand and foot than Tito) Now if Tito catches Julian flush with his left hook, he may force a stoppage. But, Jackson is the better boxer, and I think Tito's recklessness walks him into a punch he doesn't get up from.
Jackson was a fun fighter, but Trinidad could punch and was a level or two above Jackson in his pomp. Yes, Tito's chin was on the soft side, so that is going to be a concern, but as the fight goes longer, Felix takes control and stops Jackson in the middle rounds. Trinidad seems not to be too popular, maybe because he never quite lived up to the hype, but he was still very, very good.
There's not really a wrong answer here. Only guarantee is that it isn't seeing the distance. However, I'd make Jackson the favorite. Faster starter, rangier, more explosive puncher. But, I can't discount Tito's chances. There's a possibility Julian walks into something big he can't recover from as well. But if forced to choose, I'd go Jackson.
