"EL GRAN CAMPEON FELIX "TITO" TRINIDAD"

From his beloved San Juan, Puerto Rico, Félix "Tito" Trinidad has announced his retirement from the sport of boxing. Citing difficulties getting matches with top notch contenders such as Oscar de la Hoya, who refused to re-match Trinidad (for the fifth time) after Tito's victory over Cherifi and Bernard Hopkins, who according to promoter Don King refused to face Trinidad in November 2002.

Trinidad will concentrate on spending more quality time with his family, while going ahead with college studies and enjoying life with his people who have always loved and backed him.

Tito's record will stand at 41-1, 34 knockouts in three weight classes. He participated in twenty-one title fights and suffered his only loss at the hands of Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins.

"Tito has finished his career healthy, with a brilliant record, and thanks to God with an economic future that guarantees peace for him and his family for the rest of his life," said his father Felix Trinidad Rodriguez, who also serves as Trinidad's trainer and manager.

"I'm happy with the decision," Trinidad's mother, Irma Garcia, told the television network Univision. "I always told him, 'You have to get out one day so you don't take a bad hit.'"

The fighter couldn't be reached for comment.