Trinidad vs. Wright Preview.

We are being spoilt at the moment as for the second week running, we are presented with a huge, huge fight that could easily be a contender for fight of the year. Up until last year, Ronald “Winky” Wright was highly underestimated and under promoted. He has fought in just about every country on the planet. No one gave him a prayer when he fought Shane Mosely for the undisputed light middleweight crown. Wright comprehensively out-boxed his opponent and dominated the majority of the twelve rounds. When the rematch came, many people still were not giving Wright his credit, and predicted a Mosely win. The second fight was much more competitive with Mosley throwing more leather. But the turning point was the fifth round. And what a great round it was. Both fighters traded big shots, and then out of the blue, Wright dropped his hands and let Mosely hit him. Winky took the shot from one of the hardest pound-for-pound punchers in the world and smiled. It was not going to be Mosely’s night. Winky is moving up in weight to fight Trinidad but there should not be too much size difference as Winky is very big for a light middleweight.

Felix Trinidad is a legend. And now he is back. After a three-year absence from the ring, “Tito” has returned. Was he just taking time off to let the dust settle on William Joppy’s accusations of illegal hand wrapping? Has he come back just to make a few bucks or to solidify his place in the hall of fame? Tito said he only wants between three and five fights and they all have to be against top opposition. Trinidad’s first fight was an all out war against Ricardo Mayorga. Mayorga is tough, but it is a big ask for any fighter to jump up two weight divisions. Trinidad handed out a vicious beating and it was obvious how serious he was about this comeback. But this is a much tougher fight than the Mayorga one. Trinidad is a huge puncher with a good chin and that is why we all love him. Like Corrales, if Tito gets in trouble he has huge power in either hand to even up the score.

My Prediction.

After my prediction of a Castillo win last week, I am treading carefully. I think I was unlucky though; who would have thought that Corrales would get up twice and then take Castillo out even though he was half knocked out himself? This week, I am going for Ronald “Winky” Wright to get the victory after a very tough twelve-round fight. He has to be the best southpaw in the world at the moment and uses all the awkwardness of the southpaw stance to his advantage. Since the retirement of Lennox Lewis, I happen to think that Wright also has the best jab in the business.

The Aftermath.

If Wright loses this, he will move back to light middleweight with no shame and dominate the division. A loss to Trinidad at middleweight should not harm his career too much. Should Trinidad lose this, it puts his big comeback in an awkward place. Does he carry on looking for big fights? Does he take time out? Does he go for a warm up contest before his next fight? Trinidad has a hell of a lot to lose.

Ben Lynch can be reached at benjlynch@hotmail.com