Reactions to Trinidad's retirement announcement from some of Puerto Rico's top boxing figures was one and the same: surprise... and best wishes.

Read on, for a sampling of them, from Boxing Commission President Peñagarícano to the wife, Sharon Santiago, and other relatives of el gran campeón.

Boxing Commission President, José Peñagarícano: "I had an opportunity to speak to Félix at the airport, on the day of his arrival after the loss to Bernard Hopkins; it was at a small family gathering and I whispered in his ear that I recommended he retire."

"I told him that he had already given Puerto Rico 40 wins and he had nothing else to prove." Peñagarícano reiterated his position, although admitting that "as a fan, I wish that he would continue to fight, because I love to watch him." He added, "I am convinced that the guy who fought Hopkins was not the real Tito, be it because his training was off or for whatever reason."

Francisco Valcárcel, former President of the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission and now President of the WBO, remembers that prior to the Hopkins fight he was convinced that if Tito won the fight he was going to retire. He even remembers saying as much to HBO's off camera commentator Harold Lederman.

"I believe that Tito didn't want to retire after the loss to Hopkins; he is doing it now after having looked so good against (Hacine) Cherifi."

"He is retiring at a good time, with nothing to prove, healthy... I am a strong believer that the best time to retire is when people are clamoring for you to stay on."

Veteran referee Joe Cortez: "I believe that Tito is a great champion who has given boxing fans great moments, not just in Puerto Rico, but world wide. If he has retired permanently, I wish him the best, because he has been a role model for all of Puerto Rico and for Latin America. It will be a great loss for boxing, but I recommend that he does something for the young people."

Cortez did add, however, that he has doubts about the retirement. "How many times did Muhammad Ali retire? Roberto Durán? George Foreman? When I see that five years have passed and he still hasn't fought again, then I will say he is retired."

Evangelista Cotto, uncle and trainer of Miguel Cotto, the young fighter who has been mentioned by many as Trinidad's heir apparent, had this to say: "I understand that he should have retired before now. To me, he should have retired after the Joppy fight; I didn't like the idea of a fight with Hopkins, and I told people that."

Cotto added, "In a way I feel very happy, but I feel sad also; I believe we will lose the opportunity we had, every time Tito fought, when the town people would stop whatever they were doing, united and celebrated his triumphs in the streets."

From his wife, Sharon Santiago, who claims that she was unaware of the announcement, although it's no secret that she has been asking Tito to retire for the past couple of years.

"We have barely spoken about this yet. With so much going on, I've hardly seen him," said Sharon as she went about purchasing some items for a big birthday party which will be held July 5th for the couple's oldest daughter Ashley Nicole.

"I found out about it when a neighbor called and told me. I didn't know if to laugh or to cry, but I am very happy. It's something I've been waiting on for some time; I knew the time was nearing but I didn't know it was this close. I was as surprised by the news as everyone else," added Sharon. "I trust that the retirement is final and firm. I understand that it should be like that."

When asked to speculate about her husband's future plans, Sharon had this to say: "I imagine he will continue to exercise, that's his life, and that he will continue to be involved with boxing (as a trainer or manager), but we haven't talked about any of that yet. I imagine we'll come up with something."

Irma Doris Trinidad, Tito's sister, had this to say: "Tito is a hard worker, but I don't see him having the patience to teach others how to box, like my father, (Felix Trinidad Sr.) Perhaps he will venture into other areas of boxing."

Jokingly she added, "maybe he will buy a car dealership, because he loves cars, or he will continue to mess with his horses and roosters."

Irma Garcia, Tito's mother, predicts that her son will dedicate himself to working with youngsters in the gyms, while his cousin, fighter Juan "Golo" Gomez-Trinidad remarked, "once a boxer you never leave boxing. Boxing calls you."