The Fighter of the Year award is one of the most prestigious and coveted in all of boxing. This year in particular, it’s debatable as to who should get the honors between Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue. Every year, there is a dispute over who the Fighter of the Year should be. But on some occasions, there is no contention, and it’s obvious.
Entering the new millennium, boxing was filled with talented fighters across numerous weight classes. Roy Jones Jr. was in his absolute prime, toying with the light heavyweight division; Oscar De La Hoya was still the sport’s most lucrative attraction; and new elite fighters were emerging, making a name for themselves.
Among the boxing world, the one who stood the tallest and made the most noise in the year 2000 was Felix “Tito” Trinidad.
Trinidad, then a former unified welterweight champion, was planning to enter the junior middleweight division after a prosperous 1999, which saw him face off against Pernell Whitaker and Oscar De La Hoya. Following a breakout year in 1994, defeating the likes of Hector Camacho, Yory Boy Campas, and Oba Carr, Trinidad found himself in obscurity, filing two unsuccessful lawsuits against promoter Don King and unable to find an elite opponent to face across the ring.
After years of chasing, Trinidad finally got big names in the ring in 1999, and regardless of the controversial decision win over De La Hoya, the left hook artist was determined to keep the momentum going into the turn of the century.
Conquering A New Division
Continuing to battle in the welterweight division became a dangerous proposition for Trinidad, who had been champion for six-plus years and defended his IBF welterweight title 15 times and unified the WBC title. Other than a possible rematch against De La Hoya, the Puerto Rican was moving on and up from welterweight.
Trinidad’s conquest at junior middleweight began on March 3, 2000, against the undefeated, WBA titleholder and Olympic gold medalist, David Reid. The Philadelphia fighter was supremely athletic and only one year younger than Trinidad. However, the difference would be found in experience. Reid’s movement, speed, and athleticism gave Trinidad trouble throughout the first half of the fight, with the 1996 Olympic gold medalist scoring a knockdown in the third round. Yet, as was usually the case with Trinidad, when he was knocked down, it led to the Puerto Rican becoming more dangerous and focused.
Over the second half of the fight, Trinidad systematically dominated Reid, scoring a knockdown in the seventh round and almost stopping the Olympian in the 11th with three knockdowns. Trinidad’s sustained offensive success was brought forth by his experience and patience, as Reid’s advantages over the first half of the fight never seemed to deter Trinidad.
It was only by a miracle that Reid made it through all twelve rounds. The judges awarded Trinidad a unanimous decision and the WBA junior middleweight title. With the victory, Trinidad made his mark in the junior middleweight division, proving that his power and precision would follow him up the weight scale and even surpass what he showed at welterweight.
“He’s strong and very patient,” said Reid after the fight. “He waited for his moments. He capitalized on my mistakes.”
In the aftermath of the fight, Trinidad would let anyone around him know that Reid was the third Olympic gold medalist he had defeated.
Choosing To Stay Active
Rather than resting on his success, waiting for the next big fight to arrive, Trinidad decided to step back in the ring that summer. At the American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL, on July 22, 2000, Trinidad defended his WBA junior middleweight title against mandatory challenger Mamadou Thiam. The bout wasn’t on the level of Trinidad’s previous two bouts, but it served its purpose in keeping the power puncher sharp, active, and ready for what was to come next.
Almost immediately, Trinidad overwhelmed Thiam with his offensive attack, showcasing his hand speed and firing to the head and body. Thiam’s right eye was closed by the end of the first round, and the challenger’s troubles only got worse as the fight continued. In the third round, Trinidad landed an uppercut, forcing Thiam to turn away from the WBA champion and giving the referee enough reason to stop the fight. Thiam was on a 26-fight winning streak before facing Trinidad; however, the difference in class was evident from the start.
The Thiam fight isn’t remembered for being one of Trinidad’s greatest victories. Yet it epitomized everything Trinidad was trying to accomplish: no wasted appearances, no tune-ups getting away without consequence as he marched closer toward unification.
Collision Course
One of the best fights of the decade. A memorable chapter in the boxing rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico. The greatest junior middleweight fight of all time. Felix Trinidad’s bout against Fernando Vargas on December 2, 2000, was supposed to be a highly anticipated unification bout between two undefeated champions, but it became much more. The fight turned out to be a generational clash with few peers.
Vargas, the IBF junior middleweight champion, was only 22 before facing Trinidad, yet had already faced the likes of Ronald Wright, Yory Boy Campas, Raul Marquez, Ike Quartey, and made five defenses of his title. Vargas, like Trinidad, had a stellar 2000, with the opportunity to culminate in him being recognized as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters and as Fighter of the Year.
Within the first 180 seconds, Vargas was down twice. The story was set for an unforgettable night that would enhance the legends of both fighters. The fight would ultimately exceed any hype. Vargas would rise from the knockdowns, fire back, and swing the momentum in his favor, scoring a knockdown of his own in the fourth round.
As the rounds progressed, Vargas displayed a level of heart and skill matching Trinidad blow for blow. Trinidad’s well-known cardio and experience allowed him to make adjustments, slowing down the pace and wearing down Vargas. In the 12th round, Trinidad landed a perfect left hook, dropping Vargas and essentially ending the fight. Two more knockdowns occurred as Vargas never failed to rise to his feet. When referee Jay Nady finally waived the fight off, the crowd at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas erupted in delight, having witnessed an all-time classic.
“Without a doubt, he punches hard, and that was my toughest fight,” Trinidad said of his battle with Vargas. “He hit me with a good left hook, and he hurt me a little, but I was in great condition and came back. I’m a great champion.”
Legacy of A Year That Defined A Legend
Three victories. Two undefeated champions conquered, and one all-time great fight. In an era when the best fighters often compete only once or twice a year, Trinidad’s willingness in 2000 to fight often and against the best set him apart from his contemporaries. In the post-fight press conference, Trinidad was awarded the Ring Magazine’s Fighter of the Year award, as it was clearly a unanimous acknowledgment. He would also earn the BWAA Fighter of the Year honor in 2000. Garnering more than accolades, Trinidad cemented himself as one of Puerto Rico’s all-time greats and a national hero in 2000.
Trinidad’s quality of opposition in 2000 had a combined 76-1 record before facing him, and he scored almost ten knockdowns against all three. Measured against nearly any other fighter, Trinidad’s campaign in 2000 deserves to be recognized as one of the most celebrated in history, with few in its class.
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