Jones Jr. vs. Trinidad Preview
By Josh Jacobs
Ring Side: They say boxers don’t have an “old timer’s day”, but come Saturday in Madison Square Garden, two of 1990’s best fighters will meet for the first time. This bout should have been scheduled almost a decade ago, but given the financial opportunity at this stage in their career, both Roy Jones Jr. and Felix Trinidad are willing to try one more hand at making a comeback.
Voted “fighter of the decade” by Boxing Writers Association of America, Jones Jr. prides himself with abnormal hand speed, great movement around the ring and combinations that can baffle the best boxing athletes out there. His 38 years of age is definitely a concern.
Defense and health where put to the test in 2004 after Glen Johnson floored Jones Jr., resulting in almost five minutes of in and out coconsciousness. Since that event, it’s been all downhill.
In the midst of a comeback run with uneventful victories against Prince Badi Ajamu and Anthony Lavar Hanshaw, Jones is either in need of some quick cash or thinks he can rewrite the rules of age in the rigorous sport of professional boxing.
The pride of Puerto Rico’s, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, has been out of boxing for almost three full years. Turning 35 this month, Trinidad could be in for a tough schooling inside the ring.
After losing a lopsided bout against Ronal “Winky” Wright in May of 2005, Trinidad wasn’t reluctant to quickly announce his retirement from the sport that was so good to him since turning pro at 17 years of age.
There’s no deleting Trinidad’s genetics as a fighter. He’s got hands that resemble mini atomic bombs, laying ruin to even the hardest of jaws. But as skilled as he is (or was), “Tito” just has too much going against him.
There’s the weight issue (which is in Jones’ favor), a lack of speed from being shelved for over two years and the fact that Trinidad hasn’t savored a win since October of 2004 against Ricardo Mayorga.
Betting Corner: Most books are right up to par with public perception, installing Roy Jones Jr. as a heavy $3.35 favorite (bet $335 to make $100). The number hasn’t seen much movement and even the odds of Jones scoring a knockout are without much reward for the gambler (currently at 5/6).
With the layoff that Trinidad has been through, coupled with the uncertainty of his ability at 170 pounds makes Jones Jr. the one sided favorite in this match. We all know one good shot can rock any fighter, but common sense says Jones Jr. might end Saturday’s event before the fight can really get off the ground.
Leaving 2007 behind us, boxing has a lot of shoes to fill it wants to generate the same attention and buzz it did not too long ago. Placing these two fighters on HBO PPV is probably not the right way to get 2008 on the right foot, but hard core fighting fanatics will sure be drawn to the legacy that both Jones Jr. and Trinidad have left in the history pages.
vegasinsider.com.
Jones dominates Trinidad in unanimous decision
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Eight-time world champion Roy Jones Jr. knocked down Felix Trinidad twice and scored a 12-round unanimous decision over the five-time champ Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Jones (52-4), who used knockdowns in the seventh and 10th rounds, won by scores of 116-110 on two scorecards and 117-109 on another.
After the fight Jones, who turned 39 on Wednesday, said he was "still capable of doing a lot of things" and added that "he'd fight anyone at anytime."
Trinidad (42-3) has lost his last two fights, also falling to Ronald "Winky" Wright via a 12-round decision on May 14, 2005.
The 35-year-old Trinidad held the upperhand in the early rounds, but Jones never appeared in trouble. In fact, he taunted the Puerto Rican throughout the 170-pound matchup.
Chants of "Tito! Tito! Tito!" were heard at the start of the bout and in round three, during which Jones was backed into a corner and then pinned against the ropes for a time while he took body shots from Trinidad. Jones pounded his own belly and waved Trinidad on, as if to say 'bring it on.'
Throughout the early rounds, Jones wasn't that active and referee Arthur Mercante Jr. told Jones to shake off a low blow in round five. Jones responded with a clowning shaking of his hips, but the tide turned starting in the sixth. That's when Jones landed a couple of hard rights and shook his head at Trinidad, taunting him.
In the seventh, Jones landed a short right hand to the side of the head and Trinidad had a delayed reaction to being knocked down with just under two minutes left in the round. At that time, Trinidad's punches seemed to be losing power.
Then came the 10th when Jones was backed to the ropes midway through, but he landed a left jab to the face that caught Trinidad off guard. It wasn't a powerful knockdown though as Trinidad seemed to lose his footing more than anything else before bouncing back up. Jones ended the 10th with a flurry of punches and in the 12th landed several sharp-looking hits as the bout came to a close.
Jones, a native of Pensacola, Fla., had won his last two fights against lesser-known opponents, beating Prince Badi Ajamu and Anthony Hanshaw, both in 12-round unanimous decisions. Before that Jones, the former undisputed light heavyweight champion, had lost three consecutive bouts, two of them to Antonio Tarver.