By Matt Wells

matthewjwells@yahoo.com

How long after the start of the Trinidad - Mayorga fight did fans start wishing for a rematch between Tito and Bernard Hopkins? Probably about three or four seconds. Though Mayorga proved he's as tough as they come he was simply no match for the stunning Trinidad, who amazed us all with his accuracy and his own ability to take a shot. With both Trinidad and Hopkins back in the spotlight it seems natural to pair these men up and watch the fun.

But when has boxing ever given fans what they really want, when they want it? Remember all the dream matchups when Roy Jones moved up to heavyweight? After the victory over Ruiz we were all talking about Jones - Lewis, Jones - Tyson, and even Jones - Byrd seemed like an enticing proposition. I'm pretty sure nobody said, "I sure hope the man wastes away his new weight and then gets knocked unconscious by a journeyman who once lost to Syd Vanderpool". We get good fights, for sure, but often they're not the ones that we were expecting. Remember that the fight of the year was supposed to be the one that happened a couple of weeks before Trinidad - Mayorga.

That's not to say that Hopkins won't face off against the made that first made him a superstar. It's just that the legacy-obsessed Hopkins has something else on his mind right now: getting his 20th title defense. Those who think that Hopkins is game enough to put this record on the line against such a formidable opponent are forgetting their history. Hopkins, who for the most part has managed his own career, has built his legacy slowly and carefully. He's fought his share of good opponents but he's never rushed into anything. It's been three long years since his first fight with Trinidad and he was often criticized in that time for throwing away a golden opportunity to cash in on his newfound fame. Don King claimed that he "won the lottery but threw away the ticket". Nevertheless, it is Hopkins who has had the last laugh, beating a boxing superstar in De La Hoya and pocketing millions for the trouble.

It is likely that Hopkins will once again surprise us with his choice of opponents for his next fight. If he is looking for a fighter with credibility, name recognition, and who probably deserves a shot at Hopkins' titles, he might select none other than Felix Sturm. Ever since his disputed loss to De La Hoya boxing fans have been clamoring for Sturm to get another shot at a quality opponent in the division. His lighting-fast jabs and quick feet made De La Hoya look like an aging, overweight fool, and if there was not so much money on the line he more than likely would have taken the match.Even so, the man has not yet shown that he is talented enough to cause Hopkins serious trouble.

It would only be fair, really, to give the man a rematch against Oscar, though that is rather unlikely. Instead, a fight against the champion of the division would be a fine reward for his efforts. At least that's how Hopkins can spin it if he is criticized for taking the fight.