Boxing is in shameful shape, to be sure.

	Fernando Vargas (beating up Ross Thompson here) should be the toughest opponent Felix Trinidad has met.

Don't even bother looking at corrupt ratings, suspect decisions, low blows, late hits, intentional head butts or even bitten ears for evidence.

And pay no attention to the promoters behind the curtain.

All you need to grasp the concept of boxing's woeful state is to consider the names still fighting. Larry Holmes beat Mike Weaver last week. Roberto Duran is still active. So are Hector Camacho, Tony Ayala and Tim Witherspoon. And lest we forget Julio Cesar Chavez, who seems like he always will be around.

But don't be fooled into feeling sorry for these has beens. They're still collecting money. Your money.

The true sadness in boxing is the inability of younger fighters to displace these dusty legends.

Significant fights happened on a regular basis fewer than 20 years ago. There was no mistaking the impact of warriors such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, Alexis Arguello, Aaron Pryor, Salvador Sanchez and Wilfredo Benitez. Even the next level of fighters -- guys like Ray Mancini, Jeff Chandler and Donald Curry -- commanded attention.

The 1980s marked the best days boxing has ever seen. There was no room for an Over the Hill Gang.

But the glory days of boxing are so far gone many fighters from that era have remained active into their golden years. And fans fork it over to try and recapture a bit of the magic.

On Saturday, however, two whippersnappers should provide a legitimate flashback to better times. It's about time somebody did.

Felix Trinidad and Fernando Vargas square off at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and on TVKO pay-per view (suggested retail price between $44.95-49.95). It's a showdown between a pair of undefeated 154-pound champions who will come into the ring prepared and willing to fight, two attributes lacking from recent megabouts.

"I'll say this about me and Trinidad: We don't know how to quit," Vargas said. "You have two fighters who have never tasted defeat. The fans know we're not going to go out like suckers."

This matchup is a potential classic, one that could hearken back to the wars of Leonard-Duran, Hagler-Hearns, Pryor-Arguello. The only missing ingredient is the outdoor stadium at Caesars Palace, which sadly no longer exists.

But all the critical elements are there. It's a crossroads fight between two of the best pound-for-pound fighters with styles conducive to an epic battle. The winner will be in position to rule the sport for years to come.

It's been a long time coming for a bout of this magnitude. Name the last fight -- aside from Evander Holyfield's first victory over Mike Tyson -- worthy of being replayed 20 years from now on ESPN Classic. There have been some great matchups here and there, but none have really held considerable gravity in the sport aside from Holyfield-Tyson, and that was four years ago.

Not even Trinidad's bout with Oscar De La Hoya in 1999 measures up to this one -- unless one wants to factor in promotional hyperbole. Trinidad-De La Hoya featured a pair of fighters loaded with as many question marks as exclamation points. Trinidad hadn't fought anyone of note, while De La Hoya's biggest victories were publicly disputed.

Trinidad (38-0, 31 KOs) has gained much more acceptance in the past year even though he didn't win the De La Hoya fight as much as De La Hoya lost it. Trinidad also surprised many in March by moving up to middleweight and pummeling David Reid, who is panning out as just another promotional creation.

Vargas (20-0, 18) turns 23 next week, but the age and experience differentials shouldn't be a major part of the equation. Vargas scored an impressive decision over Ike Quartey in April and dismantled the respectable Raul Marquez last July.

	“	I'll say this about me and Trinidad: We don't know how to quit. You have two fighters who have never tasted defeat. The fans know we're not going to go out like suckers. ”
		— Fernando Vargas

Since both fighters can effectively box and slug, Saturday night's victor will be the one who thinks best not only on his feet, but also if he happens to find himself on his back. Trinidad is a slight favorite in the Las Vegas sports books.

Trinidad is a notoriously slow starter and has been forced to come back from being knocked down in title fights against Campas, Oba Carr, Kevin Lueshing and Reid. Vargas is methodical, but he can be baited into trading punches. He has never been down as a pro, but he has yet to face a fighter this dangerous.

Vargas looked sloppy in a unanimous decision over southpaw Winky Wright a year ago. But that lackluster performance was an aberration. Wright is a slick boxer (a la Chris Byrd and Pernell Whitaker), whose priorities are to make an opponent look bad and then try to win the fight.

Vargas will have to keep his fiery demeanor in check as he comes into this fight with more to prove than Trinidad. Vargas has a personal grudge against De La Hoya for reasons that have truly yet to surface. But De La Hoya has repeatedly said he will never agree to such a fight because of his rival's lack of respect. But Vargas would find immense satisfaction in beating one of only two men who beat De La Hoya.

Trinidad, however, won't be hurt that much if he stumbles Saturday. Win or lose, he already has a fight lined up with WBA middleweight champ William Joppy. Trinidad eventually wants to move up to 168 pounds and fight light heavyweight champ Roy Jones Jr.

Although Vargas has been recognized for years as a special fighter by many within the hardcore boxing community, Saturday night will be his coming out party to the casual fan.

Both fighters will respect each other in the opening rounds, but don't be surprised if an early flash knockdown floors Trinidad.

The telling exchanges will be fired as the fighters loosen up from the fourth round on. That's where Vargas needs to take control without getting too exuberant. If Vargas goes all-out too soon, Trinidad has the savvy to knock him out. If Vargas lets Trinidad get into a rhythm in the later rounds, Trinidad will coast to a decision.

Trinidad's margin for error is equally as slim. He must protect his suspect chin from Vargas' impressive power, but not get cautious to the point of giving away early rounds.

Both fighters will have to take chances to win this fight. Vargas has demonstrated a mental ability to reduce risks and capitalize on wily opponents' mistakes. As for Trinidad -- Kevin Lueshing, of all people, has knocked him down.

The winner is difficult to predict, but that's the way a potential classic is supposed to be.

Come Sunday morning, however, Vargas will be known as the best in the world.

Hopefully, his victory will start a new era in boxing.

ESPN.com boxing writer Tim Graham covers boxing for The Buffalo News and The Ring Magazine, and formerly wrote for the Las Vegas Sun.