By Yousef Faroniya

13.07 - Many boxing fans were shocked and disappointed to hear of five-time world champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad's decision to retire at the ago of 29. Although most of these fans don't buy the explanation from Trinidad's trainer/father that "Trinidad feels he wants to spend more time with his family and look after his health." They feel this is nothing but an excuse for Tito to try and get off and easy and slink off into the sunset. Which, in a way, is clearly what Trinadad is doing.

This was the last thing expected from the boxing superstar after his impressive knockout of former
middleweight titlist Hacine Cherifi. But those who know and have followed "Tito" closely, know that he takes pride in being more than just a boxer, but as a role model as well. Felix vowed never to repeat the mistakes of former Puerto Rican greats like Wilfred Benitez and Wilfredo Gomez, who took terrible beatings towards the end of their careers--Much like the savage beating that was afflicted on Tito by Bernard Hopkins not too long ago.

Benitez was diagnosed in 1989 with traumatic encephalopathy, a disease caused by recurring
concussions and it is known to debilitate the brain. Benitez now relies on his mother to take care of him. He tried to box despite the disease, but he had his license revoked because of the disease's danger.

In a time when boxers such as Larry Holmes and Roberto Duran are fighting way past they primes- and risking their health in the process, maybe Trinidad's decision will start a new and necessary trend-retiring young, financially secure, and healthy. After several high-profile fights, Trinidad no longer has to fight for money, or to establish a legacy (he's a sure hall of famer). So if Felix decides not to wait for a Bernard Hopkins's rematch, then retirement makes sense.

Of course, Trinadad is not without his fair share of critics, who are saying that Tito is retiring due
to the fact that ever since his one-sided distruction by Hopkins, poor Tito has been a mere shell of his former self. No longer is Tito cocky, bold and arrogant. He now, sadly, has the look of a broken man who has lost something that he will never find again.

For the past few monthes, Tito has been obsessed with obtaining a rematch with Bernard Hopkins, even though most Boxing analysts believe that Tito doesn't have a prayer in ever winning the fight. Lucky for Tito, Hopkins has shown no interest in making the fight, as he has stated publicly, he doesn't wish to waste his time fighting Trinadad again, considering the first fight was such a mismatch. I'd have to agree with Hopkins, and I'm glad that he refused to make this fight because I'd really hate to see poor Tito take any more blows to the head, and end up like his hero's Gomez and Benitez.

If poor Tito didn't have enough problems with Hopkin's punking him by stomping on the Puerto Rican flag in front of him, and him looking too scared to do anything about it, "Tito" made news when it
was leaked that he had an extramarital affair with a model which produced a child out of wedlock. This was a huge tarnish to Trinidad's shining reputation as a family man. Without saying, this surely caused marital problems and distractions to a rigorous training schedule. Marital problems were common to another Puerto Rican great, Wilfredo Gomez, who was charged with spousal abuse. Again, Trinidad vowed not to repeat the mistakes of these past fighters, and more time with the family couldn't hurt the situation.

By settling down and spending more time with family, it shows Trinidad's priorities in this stage of his life. Trinidad's heart, courage, and fearlessness have given boxing fans many thrilling moments, and some of the greatest fights in recent memory. No other boxer has faced a higher level of competition in the last ten years, and for this we should all give our respect to his decision, and thanks for the legacy he has left.