"VARGAS WANTS TITO TO THINK IT OVER"

Fernando Vargas has expressed regret following the announcement of Trinidad's retirement.

"Tito is a great champion, one of the greatest I've ever faced," said Vargas from his training camp in Big Bear, California where he is preparing for the 154 pounds unification bout against Oscar de la Hoya on September 14 from Las Vegas. "Right now, the only person on my mind is Oscar de la Hoya, but I hope Tito thinks it over... after I beat Oscar it would be a great fight between us and I would get an opportunity to avenge myself." Vargas added, "I hope he doesn't retire, I have a great deal of respect for him as a fighter and a person."

Vargas' co-trainer, Rolando Arellano had these comments. "We support him in his decision, although we don't agree with his father's statement that there are no more big fights for Tito. For example, if Fernando beats Oscar, he would become a big player in boxing, barely 24 years of age, and in time, Fernando would move up to 160 lbs. to avenge against Trinidad. We wouldn't ask Trinidad to come down to 154 lbs. or anything like that."

Arellano did admit, however, that such a match-up could not happen in the immediate future. "Fernando is a young guy who has only had hard fights," said Arellano, "after de la Hoya, he deserves a couple of easier fights, so he can make some money."

Arellano also expressed understanding for Hopkins' position regarding his mandatory defense. "Boxing has many critics because it doesn't obey its own rules and Bernard is a man who has waited a very long time to get to this point and all he wants to do is comply with the rules and keep the titles that he has fought so hard to get," said Arellano.