Like all good things in life, Félix Trinidad's boxing career has come to a close. Those of us who have followed him since his pre Don King days, can't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the news of his retirement.

There are the skeptics, though, who whenever Trinidad's name is mentioned usually come out like hungry pirañas looking for prey; those who seem to be convinced that Tito is playing some kind of head game, that this is no more than a publicity scheme; like Trinidad lacks in publicity, like he has been known to play head games...

It has always been my position that a great number of boxing fans, particularly those who have no ties to the Latino culture, have never really understood Trinidad and his motivations. I am referring to those who -among other things- proclaimed how much better off Trinidad would have been, had he learned to speak English; those who attempted to cheapen the loving pat in the heart with gloved hand with some cocky victory salute; those who wanted Tito destroyed simply because Tito was so good at what he did, and believed in himself enough to challenge and be challenged... those fans have never really understood what makes Félix Trinidad tick.

While it is very true that nothing in life is etched in stone, and a decision could always be changed, I believe that Félix Trinidad is doing exactly what he says, he is retiring from the sport he exalted for several years. Why are we having such a problem accepting this decision?...Because -again- most of us have never really understood Félix Trinidad.

Questions abound: 'How can he turn down easy money at 154 lbs?'... 'How can he just say ENOUGH at age 29 with many good fights still left in his well conditioned body?'... 'How can he do this?'... 'He really doesn't mean it, does he?'... 'These are pressure tactics to bring Hopkins to the table, to humble Don King into working harder,' (like if that was a possibility!), 'right?' ...Haven't you heard all these questions asked and answered in the past couple of weeks?

Folks, it has never been just about the money with Tito. His multi-million dollar contract with Don King more than took care of that issue. Unlike the majority of today's crop of young superstars, Tito Trinidad is not really into flash. Sure he has nice jewelry, and fancy cars, some expensive paso fino horsess and even fighting cocks, but he has been the beneficiary of sound financial advise and a relatively conservative lifestyle.

I hear you thinking; sure, you are saying, so many others before him have said the same thing, and have ended up penniless, robbed blind by unsavory characters... Yes, it certainly has happened, but times have changed and the mentality of today's boxers with it. They are more in tune with the business aspect of the sport, an attitude which is helping them to better safeguard their ring earnings.

With Félix Trinidad it has always been about pride, and about a challenge. Why is that so hard to comprehend? After all, who was the last easy opponent Félix Trinidad faced? Who did he ever duck? (And please, don't even think about saying Oscar de la Hoya)... Has he ever renounced his roots? Has he ever sold out on his Puerto Rican heritage? No, he hasn't, and while that may have rubbed some the wrong way, it has been a source of inspiration and adoration for many more.

Life will go on, and boxing will survive the departure of el gran campeón who needs not ever hang his head for the one loss to a better man on the night of September 29, 2001 in the boxing Mecca amid the ruins and the tears of a brutalized and violated New York City, amid the sorrow of our great nation.

I want to thank Félix "Tito" Trinidad for the thrills, for the excitement and the honor he has brought to the sport. The love fests that became staple of Trinidad fights, the sea of waving Puerto Rican flags, the pride, the joy, the adoring fans. How can one ever forget?

I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to witness Tito's match against Cherifi; a trip made possible by some very caring and supportive friends who eerily enough insisted that I needed to be there...Little did I know I was witnessing the last hurrah of this young man I have come to admire so much.

I also want to thank promoter extraordinaire Don King, for having taken a chance with the skinny kid from Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico; without Mr. King's vision, the stage from which Trinidad took his leap of faith in the sport of boxing may have never been set.

I'd like to thank don Félix Trinidad Sr. for fine tuning the individual we have come to know as -simply- Tito. I remember don Félix telling me how when Tito was just a kid in the gym, people used to ask: 'Who is that kid?' and the answer would be: 'Oh, the kid is Félix's son'... As years passed, people would see them together and they'd say: 'Oh, that's Tito's father.' I could see the pride gleaming in his eyes as he told the anecdote, one of many he so graciously shared with me, back in New York, May of 2001, hours before his son dismantled William Joppy.

Tito Trinidad has set high standards, measuring sticks by which fighters will be measured for years to come. Once again, much to the chagrin of the non-believers, Trinidad has demonstrated his true grit by walking away rather than becoming mediocre at his trade, rather than cheapening his legacy. Vintage Félix Trinidad, I say!

Thank you Tito, for all the wonderful memories, and please know that I remain in your corner.