Felix Trinidad

He couldn’t even stop a coked out, washed up Whitaker. Tito would never beat Mayweather.

 

I don’t think he’d beat Hearns, but it isn’t a no way situation. The left hook is how he could do it, but he probably wouldn’t.

 

This times 2. Spot on. Trinidad is a short level below Napoles, Duran, Loenard, and probably Hearns. Duran ko's Tito at 147.

 

He was a great fighter and has now become vastly underrated. Not sure why. He was wildly entertaining.

He was a bit one dimensional but his relentlessness, mental strength, accurate hard power, shot selection and mid range game were phenomenal. He was pretty a little too ambitious with his schedule going up quickly taking out the #1 and 2 at 154 in his first year then going straight for #1 & 2 at 160 and that loss to a much larger and very skilled middleweight great has caused him to be underrated. He probably stayed at 147 a little too long waiting for De La Hoya and was totally weight drained by the end.

I tend to toss out the post retirement stuff. He was a different guy. Tito used to be the one to force the fight, find the openings whereas when he came back and was older he was waiting for the openings. Huge change for a fighter like him.

I think he beats Mayweather at 147. If Maidana’s relentless style arguably did enough to beat him even with Mayweather’s handpicked gloves or an ancient Mosley or Corley had him on ***** Street what does could Tito do? It’s conceivable he gets him out of there or forces Mayweather into such a defensive shell he doesn’t put out enough offense to win.

I wouldn’t back Tito over Napoles or Hearns but wouldn’t be stunned with a win. I’d be stunned if he beat Leonard.

 

Emanuel Steward described Felix Trinidad as a “ Killer robot “ .... I love it

 

Robinson at welterweight fought and defeated better fighters than Trinidad was. Robinson smokes him with in 10rds possibly 6. Trinidad was too robotic and predictable to be able to handle the elites at welterweight.
Fighters like B.Ross, H. Armstrong, Robinson, Gavilan, Napoles,Griffith, Leonard, Hearns , Benitez, Duran ( If focused) Curry beat him convincingly at welterweight.
Fighter like Cokes and Starling had a better than average chance of beating him.
A Fighter like P Cuevas had a good chance of beating him if he lands something clean with Trinidads shaky chin.
Trinidad was a very good fighter. But he wasn't elite in my opinion.

 

My guess is he gets stopped by Leonard, probably Hearns. Might edge Benitez with greater punch volume. Trinidad KOs Cuevas. I'd take Duran by decision. Depends on which Duran shows up though.

 

I agree with a large amount of what you are saying. I actually think anyone who comes toward him looking to exchange better be prepared for a hard night...that include Armstrong and every fighter like him...even Duran.

At that weight Duran came right at Ray and did not rely on his defensive gift as he might. If favor Duran but he would have to be careful not to underestimate Tito because Tito never stops...never wavers. However, I think tough boxers always should be favored especially movers.

Tito is elite in my opinion. He made larger and better skilled fighters run all night (Hopkins, DLH) and just about killed anyone who stood toe to toe with him. If he has fought in the era of a guy fight 20 fights a year he may have had the potential to grown into something Robinson like...because most of the tools were there.

 

So you judge Mayweather based on his performances at age 37 but throw out several Trinidad fights that occurred when he was younger?

You judge Mayweather because Corley got a shot in but throw out that Tito was dropped by everyone?

 

He never faced a fighter that would've made him fight in a phone booth, the way Armstrong and Duran would. Trinidad needed range to get his explosive shots off. But what if the opponents head is in his chest, or on a Shoulder, pushing and pulling him off balance thus completely nullifying what Trinidad did best, accurate and explosive punches from both hands.
Duran was able to nullify a better fighter with much better foot speed than Trinidad in Leonard. Past prime Armstrong had his moments and gave R.Robinson hell. I really don't think either Armstrong or Duran would have much difficulty in closing the distance on Trinidad.
They proved it against much better fighters than Trinidad.
B.Hopkins did stop Trinidad right. Deloyhoa was giving him a
Boxing lesson until he basically stopped fighting the last 2-3 rds.
It's not like Trinidad was actually dominating those fighters. Hopkins and
Deloyhoya were moving tactically around Trinidad. They were not running from him. There is a difference.

 

Great post although I will offer my opinions which may counter some of your thoughts.

I think his fights with Campas, Vargas, and Mayorga should be enough of a barometer of how he faces fighters that don’t move. No of them when the distance and all ever KOed in extremely brutal fashion. These fights happened and every season of Tito’s career.

Your other thoughts are fine with me although I have read a different perspective on the Robinson-Armstrong fight (Robinson said be carried Armstrong in his book)

I also think Leonard won the first fight against Duran even thought I am historical consistent in my scoring. Either way Trinidad is a real test for Duran at that weight and may present something like a larger, stronger and heavier hitting DeJesus.

The Armstrong vs Trinidad is an amazing fight to conceive. My first thought was fear for Armstrong a lightweight coming right at Trinidad but Armstrong is short enough to get under Trinidad inaccurate swings and stay close, like you said, and bang away on the inside.

DLH and Hopkins were tactical because they had no choice especially DLH because he was naturally smaller than Trinidad. I believe had either one of them stopped for a moment to try and exchange leather, they would have gotten the worst of each time.

Because I believe they knew that..it was part of the gameplan, I consider it something like tactically running.

 

Ok. But boxing is about winning ultimately. If a fighters knows his opponents strength, why would he make it easier for that opponent by fighting to his strength?
Everyone knew if you stood in front of Trinidad, their was a excellent chance of getting put into a very sound sleep, while the ref does a full ten count.
But make him move his feet, maneuver around him, make him reset his offense and keep him from getting max leverage on his punches is one of the better more intelligent ways of fighting Trinidad.
That's what Hopkins and Deloyhoya did for the most part. If you choose to call it " Tatical running ". So be it.

 

Good post overall though DelaHoya was running. Even in the rounds he supposedly was outboxing Trinidad he was running too much. Not fighting for 2:45 of a round and throwing a flurry at the end of the round. I only mention that because what Hopkins did was true boxing. He applied intelligent footwork.

 

Tito had elite level power as a welter. Both hands. Punching technique was sweet. Very accurate. Felix had quick hands and was most dangerous at mid range.
The thing that got overlooked was his stamina/conditioning. He was able to apply pressure every round but also carry that power to the end of the fight.
154 was a good weight for him and he would have been tough to beat there at his best.

As far as beating the 70s Welters? He could give Cuevas and Palomino a run for their $. Duran, Leonard and Hearns beat him. He would be a live dog vs Hearns because Tommy could get caught. Benitez probably beats him as well.
Mayweather? I'm not sure. Floyd would certainly outbox him but every punch Trinidad throws would move Floyd even glancing blows. He could knock Mayweather down at any point and then were in unknown territory.

 

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