Note:  We were granted press credentials to cover the Trinidad-Vargas fight at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay on December 2nd.  We will be reporting the entire fight live from Las Vegas and bring you full coverage of this event.

Nothing but class at the Trinidad-Vargas press conference.

Written by Ozzie Gonzalez & Mercedes Marrero

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October 15, 2000 -- There was no fighting, spitting, cursing or yelling at the press conference for the upcoming Trinidad-Vargas fight, just two Latino warriors ready to battle to determine who is the best pound-for-pound in the super welterweight division.

WBA Super Welterweight champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad and IBF Jr. Middleweight champion Fernando "Ferocious" Vargas along with their promoters met Wednesday at the South Street Seaport in New York City to promote their upcoming fight, appropriately named "Forces of Destruction" to take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

Before the conference began, the flamboyant Don King, promoter of Trinidad, danced to the rhythm of "Plena" music  which accompanied Trinidad's camp.  King danced and cheered joyfully, "Viva Puerto Rico!", as he waved the Puerto Rican flag.  Vargas also came in musical fashion as a band of  Mariachis accompanied him as he made way to the stage for the conference.

"Winner takes all," said King in regards to unifying the titles. 

Fernando Vargas, who appeared motionless during Don King's lengthy introduction, approached the podium after being introduced by his promoter, Gary Shaw of Main Events, to express his thoughts on the fight. 

"Siempre he dicho que Felix Trinidad es un gran campeón, le tengo mucho respecto porque lo conocí como un niño, una gran persona, muy buena gente.  Estoy listo, estoy entrenando muy duro, ya tengo un mes y medio en campamento... el dos de diciembre va ser un nuevo día de independencia para la gente mejicana,"¹ expressed Vargas.

Don Felix, Trinidad's father/manager, followed with a statement showing mutual respect for their opponent, "Ferocious" Fernando Vargas.

"En realidad yo no vengo a quitarle méritos a nadie, tampoco pretengo ni quiero que nos quiten méritos a nosotros.  Vamos a enfrentar una pelea de unificación de título, donde en verdad ambos son buenos boxeadores.  Siempre hemos dicho que Vargas es un buen boxeador, es un buen campeón, pero hemos impartizado que Tito es clase aparte como campeón,"² said Don Felix.

"Somos lo mejores super welter, hay que sacar al mejor peleador...el día dos de diciembre va haber un campeón de dos coronas que va a tener WBA y IBF un título que también estuve en welter y ese doble campeón va ser Tito.  Vengo bien preparado para esta pelea...te vas a enfrentar al mejor,"³ said Felix Trinidad confidently. ( Listen to the audio clip / Escuche al corte de audio).

The fight promises to be electrifying bringing together two "Forces of Destruction", "Trinidad being the hurricane and Vargas the earthquake" as Don King puts it, two greatly skillful undefeated champions currently ranked among boxing's best pound-for-pound.  Then, there's the Mexican-Puerto Rican rivalry that always seems to add spice whenever the best of these two Latino ethnic groups clash in the ring.

Hector Calixto, 26, a native Mexican who works at the Cabana Latino restaurant at the South Street Seaport, is convinced that Vargas will win because of his age and because he feels Vargas is better fit.  "Vargas va a ganar por su edad y porque siento que tiene mejor físico.  Que viva la raza, que viva Méjico!" he said.

But Don Felix Trinidad Sr. assures that Trinidad has the potential and that age does not matter.  "Tito tiene potenciales, la edad no importa, Tito va a ganar," he told Latinosportslegends.com.

Puerto Rican Santos Ruiz, 18, from the Bronx, said he'll watch the pay-per-view fight and wants to see Trinidad win.  "I think Trinidad has the edge and will win by decision or by knockout, Vargas has to knockout Trinidad to win, Trinidad will remain champion.  Que viva Puerto Rico!"

Trinidad's last fight at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino was a victorious one against the "Golden Boy" Oscar De La Hoya at the "Fight of the Millennium" last year. Vargas referring to that fight, claims that he will win and this time you will not see a "running Mexican".

The Felix Trinidad - Fernando Vargas fight will be held at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on December 2nd. 

Tickets for the fight will be made available on October 20 at 10 a.m. in the Mandalay Bay box office and all TicketMaster locations. Ticket prices range from $50-$1500. You could reach Mandalay Bay box office at (877) 632-7400.

The fight can also be seen live on Pay-Per-View for a price of $44.95-$49.95.

 

¹"I have always said that Felix Trinidad is a great champion, I have much respect for him because I knew him as a kid, a great person, very good person.  I'm ready, I'm training very hard, I already have a month and a half in camp...December 2nd will be a new independence day for the mexican people."

²"In reality I don't come to take merit away from anyone, neither do I or do I want that they take away merit from us.  We will confront a title unification fight, where in reality both are good boxers.  We have always said that Vargas is a good boxer, is a good champion, but we have made known that Tito is in a class apart as a champion."

³"We are the best super welter, we have to take out the best fighter...December 2nd there will be a champion of two crowns that will have the WBA and IBF a title that I also had in welter and that double champion will be Tito.  I come well prepare for this fight...you will confront the best."