Oscar De La Hoya plucks Tito "Chicken" Trinidad's Feathers

Oscar De La Hoya plucks Tito "Chicken" Trinidad's Feathers

The Hard Punch; Views and Opinions by Johnny Benz (Oct 4, 2006)

Recently Oscar De La Hoya gave Tito Trinidad the chance to step upto the plate and face De La Hoya in a rematch. When they first fought back in '99, myself including many insiders believed that De La Hoya was robbed of a victory. Trinidad should have searched out a rematch then, but for whatever reasons claimed, a rematch never happened. Instead Trinidad would go onto face and lose badly to the talents of Bernard Hopkins. Shortly after that, Trinidad fought and defeated Hacine Cherifi, and then abrubtly retired from Boxing.

Trinidad would make a comeback in 2004 and did so facing and defeating Ricardo Mayorga. Trinidad followed that up with a pathetic showing against Winky Wright. Like Hopkins had done previously, Winky also made a joke of Tito Trinidad's boxing skills. After that loss, Trinidad would once again run away the sport and quit. (Insert the 'PASS TITO

A TISSUE' remark here.).

It would seem that Trinidad, who in the past has had no problems calling De La Hoya a chicken, is in fact the one playing the role of Chicken. After all, my opinion and I am sure many would have no problems agreeing, Chickens are ones who retire every time they lose. Basically, that is exactly what Trinidad has done each time he was humiliated in the ring... he quit. Did Oscar quit after Hopkins made a light snack out of Oscar? No. Fact is De La Hoya kept on fighting and kept on gaining respect. No way, no how can the same be said for Trinidad. However, if you are not convinced that these are the actions of a Chicken, then perhaps the recent negotiating (played out in the media) can confirm it.

I am in the strong belief that Trinidad never wanted another fight with De La Hoya.... if he did want to face De La Hoya this year, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to ensure the fight never happened. For instance Trinidad wants the fight to be held at 160lbs.... yet he knows full well that De La Hoya would never go for that weight. After all, De La Hoya has stated time and time again he wouldn't fight at 160lbs.

Also, at first it was reported that team Trinidad wanted more than 50% of the take. Thats just crazy! But then Trinidad's father, Felix Sr., recently told the Puerto Rican media that the Trinidad camp would budge and go 50-50 on a rematch.

However even team Trinidad must know and understand they aren't worth 50% of the take. After all De La Hoya recently generated 925,000 pay-per-view buys in May against Ricardo Mayorga. When Trinidad came out of retirement against Mayorga, the pay-per-view drew only about half that figure. Going by those numbers alone, Trindad would be dreaming to get 50%. Trinidad is obviously not worth it, and besides that, Trinidad really shouldn't be expecting to have Fans pay top dollar for a fighter who hasn't done much too deserve it. This is after all a fighter who not only has gotten millions from the pockets of fans, but he has also rewarded fans by quitting the sport more than once. Who wants to follow, pay for, or be inspired by a quitter? Fans deserve better than that, and if the Fans should have to reach deep, then a fighter should have to work hard to deserve the fans money by earning it. Quitting the sport only to come back and demanding top dollar for your services... Fans don't deserve that sort of treatment.

Here is my final verdict: The Hard Punch

If Trinidad really wanted to face De la Hoya, his demands wouldn't have been so outrageous and he'd realize it was De La Hoya in the driver's seat... not him. It only seems to me that Trinidad has gone out of his way to make the sort of demands that would ensure no rematch would ever happen. If you ask me, that is what a Chicken does. To me, Trinidad will always be known as Tito "Chicken" Trinidad. I know a "Chicken" when I see one.

Now that Oscar has publicly announced there will be no Trinidad rematch, the Feathers have effectivley been plucked...and now Trinidad can feel naked without De La Hoya. Now bring me the head of Floyd Mayweather Jr., on a "Golden" platter!

The Hard Punch by Johnny Benz. Johnny Benz gives his views and opinions and never hold back any punches.