"Good News and Bad News"

There are good news and there are bad news. The good news is that it's now over. The bad news is that Félix "Tito" Trinidad suffered his first loss in a very unflattering fashion at the hands of Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins, on September 29th, 2001, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Venomous haters and "have beens" that never were will have their field day with Tito's loss. To those I say, get a life! True boxing fans, on the other hand, will see it for what it's worth. Two great champions who came to the table, gave it their all, and on this particular September night, Félix Trinidad lost to a better man.

Bernard Hopkins was brilliant and earned a deserved victory, I just wish that he had demonstrated as much class outside of the ring as he did in it on September 29th. Hopkins now has all the hardware for his division and the recognition he has desperately been seeking.

Trinidad has his pride, his integrity and his many accomplishments to stand on. He also has his fans, whom I am sure will display the same class that he has, and will continue to support him no matter what his future plans may be. It might not hurt to back off him a little, show him love but also understanding. Too much pressure has been placed on Tito's shoulders and it is possible that he crumbled because of it. He now has personal issues to settle, as well as career decisions to make. These very personal matters should be resolved in private, with logic and sensibility in mind.

As far as I am concerned, Tito has nothing to prove. He has done it all, and he has done it well; he has been a great champion, un gran campeón. Bernard Hopkins would not be in the limelight right now had it not been for Félix Trinidad's quest for greatness. Trinidad's record will always speak for itself, the level of his competition a measuring stick for generations to come.

Whatever Trinidad's career decision may end up being, he has given boxing fans more than their money's worth; he has thrilled, he has electrified, he always took it to the next level. I don't care if he ever laces up again, the memories of his many achievements are etched forever in my mind and in my heart.

I wish Bernard Hopkins well. A trip to Puerto Rico to personally apologize for his disrespect would be a great gesture, worthy of a great champion. Those of us who love boxing are already looking forward to the next big match; grateful for the great ones we have seen, and appreciative of those boxers who give their all in the ring.