Felix Trinidad honored by WBA as centennial champion

Felix “Tito” Trinidad was honored Saturday with a new belt and the status of centennial champion at the WBA convention in Orlando, Florida. He is the second fighter, after Manny Pacquiao in 2021, to achieve the status with the sanctioning body.

Entering the stage at the Caribe Royale Convention Hall to a chorus of “Tito! Tito! Tito!” the 51-year-old Trinidad, from Puerto Rico, was in fine fettle as he gleefully accepted the trophy from WBA President Gilberto Mendoza Jnr and WBA honorary champion Christy Martin.

“We met each other when we were really young,” Mendoza said of Trinidad. “We had a good relationship and were in many fights together.

“Puerto Rico is a very small island and has had champions in every weight class. It has been able to show the hard work and commitment that Puerto Rican fighters have.

“You are one of the very best fighters in the history of boxing – and the WBA.” 

Trinidad, 42-3 (32 KOs), is a former titleholder at welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight, and was clearly happy to be recognized.

Martin, meanwhile, was also delighted to be a part of the celebrations that opened proceedings on the first full day of the convention.

“It is such an honor to be here with you,” Martin said. “Thanks for the support. Let’s keep boxing going and work harder and harder to make these fighters successful.”