Trinidad Right in Middle of Things

Felix Trinidad is, in the eyes of many, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

But can he keep that mythical title as he adds pounds to his frame?

Trinidad, 5 feet 10, established himself as the best at 147 pounds when he won a majority decision over Oscar De La Hoya in 1999. It was a meeting of arguably the two best fighters in the world at that moment. Trinidad kept his reputation intact and his record spotless when De La Hoya, ahead in the fight, ran for the last three rounds.

Trinidad established himself as the best at 154 pounds with two dominating performances last year, winning a solid decision over 1996 Olympic gold medalist David Reid and then destroying Fernando Vargas with five knockdowns, stopping Vargas in the 12th round.

Reid and Vargas have not been the same since their bodies were shaken by Trinidad’s deceptive but devastating power.

Tonight, Trinidad (39-0, 32 knockouts) takes his first step toward establishing himself as the best at 160 pounds when he faces World Boxing Assn. middleweight champion William Joppy (32-1-1, 24) in the semifinals of a middleweight unification tournament at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

On Sept. 15, the winner will meet Bernard Hopkins, who earlier beat Keith Holmes.

“No disrespect to Vargas or Reid, but they were just babies,” Joppy said. “I’m a full-grown man going into my 35th fight. . . . I have been fighting guys that didn’t really have that marquee name behind them. I didn’t get the credit of being the best, or [being] on the best pound-for-pound lists. Now I have the opportunity to prove to the world that I can make it happen.”

Countered Trinidad: “Any fighter who calls me out should know that it is quite another thing to step into the ring with me.”

Joppy’s only loss was by decision to Julio Cesar Green in 1997. Joppy came back to beat Green, by decision in 1998 and on a seventh-round TKO in 1999.

To make that happen against Trinidad, Joppy will have to show more movement than he has in the past. De La Hoya demonstrated that quickness, movement and consummate boxing skills can frustrate and nullify Trinidad’s inevitable late charge. Joppy will also have to finish off Trinidad, a notoriously slow starter, if he gets the chance.

De La Hoya didn’t take advantage of his chance. Joppy doesn’t figure to do so, either.

Three in Joppy’s Corner

De La Hoya, Vargas and Shane Mosley will all be rooting for Joppy tonight. De La Hoya and Vargas are both hoping for rich rematches against Trinidad.

Mosley-Trinidad would not only be a huge payday for Mosley, but the best matchup in boxing.

But Trinidad is looking up, not down. He plans on beating Joppy, beating Hopkins and then moving up to 168 pounds for a dream showdown against Roy Jones.

At least that’s the dream of Trinidad’s father, Felix Sr.

And as the younger Trinidad has said more than once, “What my father says is what I will do.”

Next Option?

De La Hoya, scheduled to move to 154 pounds to take on World Boxing Council champion Javier Castillejo on June 23 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, must be salivating at the thought of facing Vargas after watching the Oxnard fighter get knocked down by Wilfredo Rivera last Saturday, further proof Vargas hasn’t recovered from his Trinidad beating.

Look for De La Hoya to publicly challenge Vargas. And look for Vargas, too damaged to consider that fight right now, but too proud to refuse, to accept the challenge.