OH, WHAT A NIGHT! By Jose Bordetas

Saturday night, September 15th, 2001. Thousands of Puerto Rican flags undulate in the climate controlled air of Madison Square Garden's largest venue. A veritable army of Trinidad followers boo as the opponent makes his way to the ring. Faces framed with disgust and disbelief look at their hero's latest test in total contempt for the man that dared to disrespect and insult a whole culture.

As he nears the squared circle, angry Puerto Ricans scream out indecencies and make obscene gestures to this man that in a few minutes will get in the ring with the embodiment of the best Puerto Rican fighter ever to come out of a small patch of fertile land measuring just 35x100. Paper cups and other debris litter the walk way as Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins contemplates and ponders just what it is that he has gotten himself into.

Then as Hopkins starts to strut around the stage acting oblivious to the booing and disrespect of the large Puerto Rican contingent, suddenly the crowd erupts in a deafening roar as the Son of Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico takes his walk to the ring. Confidence, pride, determination and anxiousness show on the face of Felix “Tito” Trinidad as he climbs into the ring, ready to clear the next hurdle in his quest for greatness. This fight will define him and make him the first undisputed middleweight champion of the world since Marvin Hagler, as well as the first Puerto Rican ever to hold the crown.

Ok, Ok, wake up right? Hey after all it is my article so I reserve some poetic license here!

Truth of the matter is that the preceding paragraphs are probably a good description of what to expect when these two boxers get it on. If the press thought the reception Joppy got was bad, oh my god, what is the phrase, they ain’t seen nothing yet!

Tito will be coming to the bout as the clear favorite of both the Vegas bookies as well as the fan base, expect this fight to surpass many records of attendance and PPV as the disrespect shown by Hopkins will most definitely garner serious rating hikes as thousands of Hispanics will buy into it to see the Philly fighter get his ass wupped, yes I said wupped.

Many think that this is Tito's greatest test, but I am not so sure that this will be the case. The prior Hopkins fight against Holmes showed me nothing and I remember laughing with my daughter (6 years old) and saying he ain’t got nothing on Trinidad. While that may not be quite the case I am gonna break it down for you by the numbers. This is the road map to follow to ensure a W over Bernard, of course this is just MHO.

1. Movement - Many boxing aficionados both the haters as well as the gushing groupies will admit that Tito has some problem with opponents that have strong movement skills. Not to beat a dead horse, but truth is he was out boxed by an elusive DLH for three spectacular rounds, however; this is not DLH and Hopkins skills are now where near as good. Not even in his best day can he be compared to the DLH that made Tito look like he was standing still. Hopkins does have decent movement and he will use it to get closer to Tito, not to run away from him. So in this case Trinidad must be the one moving, away and to the right so that his left can be setup. This will also force Hopkins to come in as not have the ability to tie him up. This is very important as well know that Hopkins will make free use of whatever tool he has available. The Echols fight showed a dirty fighter not shy to use what he knows. Tito must move and setup his left, imperative to the win.

2. Jab on it - Tito's jab is a thing of beauty! Stinging and bazooka like in its delivery, Trinidad's jab when on is one that will hurt you because when it is thrown with authority it has a devastating cumulative effect. This is also the way Tito measures for his bread and butter… The Left hook!

3. Best Hooker in the business - I will argue with anyone that this previous statement isn't true. Trinidad has the kind of left hook that scares people. Hopkins will feel the pain as Tito has the uncanny ability to double up on the hook and follow with a left upper. The speed in which this gets accomplished is daunting putting to bed some people's notion that Trinidad is a slow fighter. His left hook will bother Hopkins the first time it lands. It will hurt and surprise the Philly vet as I believe that he is seriously underestimating Tito's power. I think that this punch will be the defining blow of the fight.

4. USE that right - Before the Vargas fight, Tito's use of the right had been as needed. Never relying on this instrument as a true power shot. After seeing how he dropped it against a confused looking Joppy I am more than looking forward to see it to land with a solid thud against the side of Hopkins head. As he comes up in weight, Tito's power is augmented instead of hampered. This along with that left forearm push off and blam! Ounces of leather slamming forcefully into human flesh with devastating impact.

5. Counter Punching - Hopkins will be coming and bringing it, so Trinidad must let go and counter solidly as Hopkins begins his retreat. Tito will study this for a round or two until he adapts to the style. I don't think that he will want to trade blows all night as Hopkins can bang. Besides, as he counters he keeps Hopkins away from the holding and potential low blows that will surely land a plenty in this fight.

6. LOW BLOWS - Must be on the lookout for these, after the Vargas fight many cried foul as Tito hit Fernando solidly in the “cojones” in the fourth round, a brilliant move that a true vet will use. Well, they don't any more experienced than Bernard Hopkins and The Executioner is renowned for his use of low blows. In my opinion the ref will be extra sensitive and there will definitely be points taken away in this fight, perhaps even getting close to a DQ?

Trinidad is on the path to greatness but in order to get there he must go through a man that has been under rated for too long. He must beat a veteran Philly fighter with the heart of a lion and the skill and determination of a true professional athlete. Hopkins' conditioning is impeccable, as is Trinidad's. His training regime is hard on the body and mind, as is Trinidad's. His will to win is undisputed, as is Trinidad's.

All in all it must be said that this fight will be the most exciting bout of the year and one that will be charged with Hype. After the flag incident in Puerto Rico (what was he thinking?) Bernard has been uncannily quiet and has had a concerned look on his face. His demeanor seems to have changed but what cannot change are the things he set in motion. Trinidad not only fights for the money or the sport, he fights for his country and this is something you have to be a Puerto Rican to understand as to many others it makes no sense or it is thought of as mere Hype. When Trinidad says he is fighting for the Glory of Puerto Rico, believe it! How is Hopkins going to react when he sees all this momentum coming his way? Five million Puerto Ricans the world over will be backing their favorite son, looking on with disdain and wishing upon him the worst beating imaginable. Man I would not like to be in Hopkins shoes that night. I am sooo looking forward to this fight, hell I should be charged for all the fun I am having!

Of course this is just my Humble Opinion, I may be wrong…. Defend yourselves at all times!!!