Trinidad, Jones say age no concern

NEW YORK – Felix Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr. will be fighting more than just each other on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

They’ll also be fighting perceptions that both are far past their primes.

Jones, considered the pound-for-pound king for the better part of a decade, turned 39 this week. He showed up to a news conference at the Garden on Tuesday with a beard that made him appear much older, though he promised to shave it off when he makes weight of 170 pounds.

He’s fought just twice since losing a unanimous decision to Antonio Tarver in 2005, both lackluster decisions against lesser opponents. For Jones (51-4, 38 knockouts), this 12-round fight represents one last step before a potential super-middleweight title bout – a road block to a ninth world title.

“A lot of them think I ain’t got it anymore,” said Jones, stealing glances at a flat-screen TV with footage of his past performances, including him becoming the first former middleweight champ to claim a heavyweight title in more than 100 years.

“This is a chance to show them I still got it.”

Trinidad, meanwhile, was lured out of retirement after promoter Don King flew to his native Puerto Rico and promised him a shot at Jones.

The five-time world champion has fought just twice since 2002, beating Ricardo Mayorga before sustaining a punishing 12-round loss to Ronald “Winky” Wright in May 2005.

Backed by an entourage 21 strong, Trinidad (42-2, 35 knockouts) defiantly said that nothing would slow him down – not the long layoff, fighting at a weight 10 pounds greater than ever before, or the high expectations that the large Puerto Rican fan base in New York almost certainly will heap upon his shoulders.

“I’m feeling very good with a lot of passion,” Tito said through a translator. “I trained and worked very hard to win, and this weekend we’re really going to celebrate.”

King was already in his usual celebratory mood. But even he found himself working hard to drum up support for a fight that should have happened years ago.

At the onset of the news conference, the great lyricist launched into a rambling, 18-minute oratory on why the fight is relevant – why fans should shell out $49.95 to watch on HBO pay-per-view, or pay more than a thousand dollars for a seat near the action.

“What they’re saying is that these two guys are old. They’re saying these two guys are not at the height of their careers,” King said. “They are dreaming, because they are naysayers, doomsayers, illsayers. The fight was made because of pride.”

If nothing else, the two fighters are taking it seriously.

Trinidad has been training for the past six months in Puerto Rico, slowly putting weight on his slender frame while trying to retain the quick, heavy hands that have yielded a stunning 80-percent career knockout rate.

His father and trainer, Papa Trinidad, said Tito is in “one of the best conditions of his life.”

Then, turning to Jones and cranking his voice up a notch, the father added: “You are going to fight against the best Tito Trinidad that anybody has ever fought against.”

Jones, in a departure from his norm, left Florida for a small, secluded training camp in Pennsylvania with longtime trainer Alton Merkerson. Slowly he chiseled a 188-pound frame down to fighting weight, and bared a ripped midriff Tuesday at the behest of King.

“Unfortunately the only person I’m going to be facing is Tito. I really hate it I can’t beat the dad, too,” Jones said, smiling broadly to jeers from the opposing camp. “I can’t even begin to tell ya’all how raw I’m going to be on Saturday night.”

Last week, Jones promised a fourth-round knockout, and didn’t waver in his prognostication. He even spoke candidly of where his campaign will head after dispatching the Latino hero, which could mean a trip to Wales – something Jones has balked at in the past – for a shot at undefeated super-middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe.

In an odd twist, Trinidad said during an open workout Monday that he wanted a title shot against the Welshman after beating Jones.

Maybe there’s more than pride at stake when the two aging fighters meet after all.

“These guys have accomplished missions that most boxers haven’t accomplished in their careers,” Merkerson said. “Everybody that reaches their ultimate goal always has another goal they’d like to accomplish.”