Felix makes appearance, won't talk about fight

In a room that lacked air conditioning and was only a few dozen feet from a work area where dust and debris were constant companions, Felix Trinidad allowed himself to be seen in public for the first time since opening training for Saturday's fight with Oscar De La Hoya.

Exposure to Trinidad's Tuesday workout in an under-construction pavilion within the Las Vegas Hilton's convention area was limited and brief.

The fighter posed for photographers and went through a quick exercise routine while members of the media and a few passersby looked on. With promoter Don King bellowing into a microphone and predicting a knockout win, Trinidad appeared fit and relaxed -- albeit off-limits to inquiries about his outlook toward De La Hoya and their welterweight unification title fight at Mandalay Bay.

"He's not here to do interviews," his father, Don, said through an interpreter to those on hand at the afternoon session. "His priority is the fight and that's all he's concentrating on. He can't have any interruptions."

Trinidad's father has kept him under wraps, to the extent that a Hilton executive called him "unbelievably protective." Father and son have been staying in the hotel's most exclusive suite and all access to the fighter has been denied, although he apparently will speak at the final prefight press conference today.

In what may have been the only nugget of news to emerge from the open workout, Trinidad Sr. did put to rest the notion that his son would struggle to reach 147 pounds by Friday's official weigh-in.

"He won't have to run around the day of the weigh-in," Don Trinidad said. "He's at weight right now. He will not have any problems with weight."

Trinidad, like De La Hoya, plans to move to 154 pounds in the near future, and both have, at times, found it difficult to come in at 147. If weight is not an issue -- and De La Hoya has said he is already at 147 -- and with neither man acknowledging any injuries or health concerns, the fight appears to be a go.

"There is no pressure on Tito at all," his father said. "He's prepared, physically and mentally. From the first round on, it's going to be his fight."

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