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SteemSports Presenter: @brandonk

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SteemSports Editor: @theprophet0

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The pride of Puerto Rico, and an absolute legend of the boxing realm: Felix Trinidad was truly a one of a kind athlete. The mind this slugger had for the sport was one few possessed, and his heart was leagues deeper than most men we may ever see step foot into the squared circle.

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There were decades that 'Tito' ruled the televisions on prime time, when Felix fought, people watched. From brawlers like Camacho to fast and power young stallions like De La Hoya and tacticians in their prime such as 'Sweet Pea' (the only and only Pernell Whittaker)... Felix was able to dismantle them all.

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Beyond the controversy of handwraps and stalled corners, there was so much more to this man than what the audience knew. He was a larger than life figure who represented Puerto Rico to the fullest. This was especially appreciated throughout the 80s and 90s decades when tempers ran high between races on both coasts.

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'Tito' was yet another symbol of boxing bringing all sorts of people together; a white man could cheer for a Puerto Rican man and it made no difference because the love was real. I myself watched highlights even as a child of Trinidad's badass pressure style with his massive right hook...

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...I'd kill to see how 'Tito' stacks up in the modern era. There are few fighters who have the record and absolutely stellar resume Mr. Trindad possesses. An amazing 42-3 with all of his losses coming at the end of his career, and one being to a prime Roy Jones Jr.

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'Tito' was never finished inside the ring, and his durability and warrior's spirit was another reason the fans embraced and loved him for all he gave. He was a masterclass of aggression with a tactician's mind and savage spirit. It is an experience everything Tito strapped on the leather gloves.

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One of Felix's last great stands was against the perennial hard nosed gatekeeper in Fernando Vargas. Vargas was known as more of a bully inside in the cage, and his strength and overall size was thought as possibly too much for the older Trinidad. It was the night of that fight...

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...that the legend cemented his legacy. After the war with Vargas, things unfortunately, and steadily headed downhill career-wise for Tito. With a boxing lesson from Bernard Hopkins, and a bit too much damage in his last fight from the prodigal Roy Jones, Trindad was almost forced into retirement.

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There was nothing early or unexpected about Tito's departure from the sport, but make no mistake about it... he was one of the few masterclass sportsmen of his time. Many claim that Tito lacked boxing skill which he made up for heart and fearlessness, but I wholeheartedly disagree.

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Tito had tremendous skill in the ring, and his defensive flaws were only exploited at much later in his career. A young Tito was an impeccable boxer, and over the course of 11 years he went on an undefeated streak of 39 wins with not a single loss or questionable victory.

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Who else can claim stake to beating the Golden Boy himself and Pernell Whittaker in the hay day of his career? Practically nobody except for fellow Hall of Famers, but always remember how special Tito was. He represented Puerto Rico when that state had practically no other fighters as representatives...at least at the elite level. Tito was an absolute legend, and he shall never be forgot!

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