LAS VEGAS -- Move over Roy Jones. Watch out Shane Mosley. We might have a new No. 1 in boxing's mythical crown of 'pound-for-pound.'

With his methodical pounding of Fernando Vargas, 'Tito' cemented his status as not only the dominant junior middleweight, but maybe the world's best fighter.

Trinidad-Vargas was billed as an early Christmas gift to boxing fans, and unlike most gifts we've received in recent years, it wasn't a lump of coal. What boxing fans got was quite possibly the fight of the year.

Although thoroughly vanquished, Vargas was valiant in defeat. Coming off the canvas twice in the opening round, he was able to survive and fight his way back into things with a left hook that deposited Trinidad on the seat of his trunks in the fourth round. But like Roberto Clemente, he just brushes himself off when taken down.

This is when Trinidad is most dangerous. It can be argued that no fighter since the incomparable Joe Louis has fought as well coming off the canvas. Vargas joins Anthony Stephens, Oba Carr, Yory Boy Campas and Kevin Lueshing -- fighters who have been stopped after dropping Trinidad early.

But that doesn't mean Vargas wasn't competitive. The official scorecards had the fight nearly dead even after five rounds. But from the sixth round until the brutal end, Vargas would be stuck in second gear, while Trinidad threw his game into overdrive.

A world champion for most of the 90s, Trinidad was nontheless an anonymous fighter compared to the Holyfields, Tysons, and De La Hoyas of the game. He was a guy who could make the cover of The Ring or KO, but People Magazine? Forget it.

Trinidad still may never make those glossy pages, but he is inching closer to the kind of recognition deserving of a performer of his status.

And hey, it beats making bad pop albums.

Trinidad lives clean, but is a man of many habits. Habits, not vices. Once again he was able to come off the canvas to win big. Once again he came on strong to overtake a big-name opponent. And once again he downed a former U.S. Olympian (Pernell Whitaker, David Reid, Oscar De La Hoya and now Vargas).

Does the USOC know about this guy?

Trinidad now has two-thirds (the IBF and WBA) of the 154-pound title, but he might be renting them, not buying longterm. It's common knowledge in the small boxing world that Trinidad will now most likely face WBA 160-pound champion William Joppy. This bounty would be more about bridging a gap to super middleweight (168 pounds) and Roy Jones Jr. than collecting another title belt.

Considering that just more than a year ago Trinidad was fighting at 147 pounds, it would be a tall mountain to climb. A more realistic matchup would be a face-off with IBF middleweight champ Bernard Hopkins, considered to be the best at 160. But in the irony of ironies, Hopkins is what Trinidad was to De La Hoya a few years back.

A great talent, a high risk, with low reward.

That's the way it goes in the game of boxing. Vargas was sent back for more seasoning, De La Hoya long forgotten (as is the controversial decision he had with Trinidad last year), and Mosley simply too small. For now the middleweight division is Tito's world. Just like he probably owns the island which has adopted its native son as its shining light.

Wilfredo Gomez, Carlos Ortiz and Wilfredo Benitez were other champions that made Puerto Rico proud. But when it's all said and done, it's Trinidad who stands out. And as of right now, he isn't just the best from his nation, but probably the best in the world.

Vargas now faces some soul-searching. Reid was his teammate on the 1996 Olympic squad and was crushed late by Trinidad's onslaught. Judging by his poor showing this past Sunday against the journeyman Kirino Garcia, Trinidad may not have just beaten Reid, he may have ruined him.

Which way will Vargas go? In addition to the physical pounding he took, one has to wonder how his ego and pride will react to losing in the manner he did. For Vargas, prizefighting isn't just a profession but a way of life. As tumultous as his life has been outside the ring, inside the ropes has been relatively tranquil.

Until now. Only the upcoming months can answer the questions regarding his psyche. Will this be a valuable learning lesson or a career crushing defeat? We'll see.

Trinidad capped off his sterling night by dropping Vargas three times in the 12th and final round. It was the bow-tie on the sport's gift to its embattled fans.

Trinidad in victory elevates his status. Vargas in defeat earns a measure of respect. No one lost.

Boxing won.

Steve Kim is a columnist for www.houseofboxing.com.