RECORD: 20-0, 18 KOs
By Fernando Vargas
Special to ESPN.com
Thursday:
At the beginning of this promotion, when we were making the commercial,
we got along. Then Felix Trinidad started disrespecting me. He's
talking. He's never talked before ... he's talking because he knows it's
over ... he knows he's going to lose.
Before, when we saw each other, there was just a mutual respect
there ... not much talk ... just, you know, you're a great fighter, complement
him back. Not much talk. Kind of like friends. But all of that has
ended already, so I definitely look forward to stepping into the ring
with him.
This is going to be his last fight at 154 (pounds), everybody knows
that. After I beat him, there's going to be no more need to be at 154.
I can't let this guy take my belt ... a lot of people fight for a lot of
different reasons, I fight because I want to be the best fighter in the
world.
When Vargas just broke into the pro ranks, we were training down in
Miami. You could see Tito's father peaking over at him. You could see
him thinking, "Yeah, we'll be meeting him in the ring soon." Well, here
we are.
Vargas is chomping at the bit. He's ready to get in the ring right
now. I wish the fight was today."
Tuesday: There were over 3,000 people at the Los Angeles press conference today
on Olvera Street, which is the area where all of the Mexicans hang out
and shop. I couldn't believe it.
I wish I was already fighting, I don't like all of this in between
stuff. This, that, it hypes me up more and I wish I was already
fighting. This crowd right here, I feel like I'm ready to fight. I
usually don't see a crowd like this a week before the fight. I have
to wait one more week, and I'm ready for that.
After the press conference I went over to La Opinion. That's the
largest Spanish newspaper in the country. They have been writing
stories about me every day for the last 2 weeks. I love those guys --
it's really great when someone like that gets behind you. It makes you
want to work that much harder.
Just like all of the people that came to see me today -- there was a lot
of love there in Los Angeles today. I want to make all of those people
very happy -- and they are going to be on December 2.
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RECORD: 38-0, 31 KOs
By Felix Trinidad
Special to ESPN.com
Thursday: We only respect each other at the beginning of the fight ... The closer
you get to the fight ... in the last few days the less nice things you
have to say ... but talking about each other is normal with any fight.
After the press conference, we posed for the picture. Then we stared at
each other ... for a while. When our people pulled us apart, I put my fist
up, so we could touch fists (as a show of good sports). He didn't do
it, he just turned and walked away. That is not what a man does, he was
not man enough to do it! He will pay! I will knock out Vargas!"
Tuesday: Fernando Vargas is a great fighter, a champion. Next Saturday two
champions will step into the ring. The WBA champion and the IBF
champion. Only one will emerge and that will be me. I've trained very
hard for this fight, and I come to win -- I will accept nothing less.
I'm going to win the fight -- if it's a knockout -- that much better.
There were a lot of Puerto Ricans there to cheer me on today. People
know that htere are a lot of Mexicans in this area, but there are Puerto
Ricans all over the world. And they will be behind me next Saturday
also.
Again, I will make the Puerto Ricans very proud.
Thursday, from Vargas' trainer, Roger Bloodworth:
When Vargas just broke into the pro ranks, we were training down in
Miami. You could see Tito's father peaking over at him. You could see
him thinking, "Yeah, we'll be meeting him in the ring soon." Well, here
we are.
Vargas is chomping at the bit. He's ready to get in the ring right
now. I wish the fight was today.
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Trinidad vs. Vargas
