HOPKINS DELIVERS FIGHT OF HIS LIFE.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL Boxing

Once in a great while, a fighter turns in a performance so sublime that you'll treasure it for a lifetime. Bernard Hopkins' methodical demolition of the great Felix Trinidad on Saturday in New York City was such a performance.

Consider that the undefeated Trinidad had been anointed by some the greatest fighter of his generation, a fighter with monstrous power and the ability and indomitable will to impose it on helpless opponents. He'd done it so many times.

Then consider what Hopkins did to him: He made Trinidad look ordinary - if that.

Hopkins learned from Trinidad's controversial victory over Oscar De La Hoya, in which the Puerto Rican's limitations were fully exposed. In short, a good, quick boxer who can neutralize Tito's one-dimensional power-punching attack with intelligence and movement can beat him.

De La Hoya gave a masterful boxing performance, consistently moving out of harm's way as Trinidad prepared to unload his dangerous left hook or a hard right while scoring enough himself to control the fight.

Hopkins, supremely confident from the opening bell, did the same - only better.

As Trinidad desperately groped for the one big punch that would turn the fight around, Hopkins moved, he beat his opponent to the punch, he held when the circumstances called for it and he took the best Trinidad had to offer without flinching on the few occasions Trinidad was able to land meaningful punches.

We all waited for Trinidad to land the big punch. It never happened because Hopkins wouldn't allow it. We waited for the old man to fade. It never happened because he was in exceptional condition. In other words, Hopkins was too smart, too strong, too good.

By the end, Trinidad - the Trinidad so many believed was invincible - was frustrated and beaten, physically and emotionally. It seemed he went down as much from hopelessness as the beautiful right Hopkins applied to his vulnerable jaw in the 12th round, the punch that ended the fight.

It was as close to a perfect performance as you'll ever see.

However, that was only part of what made the night so monumental: Hopkins' career leading up to the fight adds immeasurably to the drama of his victory.

He's accomplished quite a bit in 13 years - he's lost only twice (in his first pro fight and against Roy Jones Jr.), hadn't lost in eight years, has held the middleweight title for 6 1/2 years and was on the brink of equaling Carlos Monzon's record of 14 successful defenses, which he did Saturday

Still, in part because he never landed a megafight after Jones, he wasn't afforded the adulation heaped upon fighters like Jones, Trinidad, De La Hoya, Shane Mosley and others. He was always seen as very good - but nothing particularly special.

Then, at 36 and a 3 1/2-1 underdog against the hottest fighter around, he turns in the performance of his life in front of the biggest audience of his career.

He has climbed to the pinnacle of his sport and established with one enormous victory what will be an enduring legacy at an age when it should've been much too late. It was quite a night for Hopkins, quite a night for boxing.

``I wanted to show my greatness, and I think I did - halfway,'' Hopkins said on HBO's telecast. ``I'm not great yet, but I will be.''

Even many of those who doubted him before Saturday would say he's already there.

--What's next? The natural next step for Hopkins is a rematch with Jones, who outpointed him in 1993. It would be a big-money, high-interest fight after Saturday.

However, Hopkins is resentful that Jones refused to fight him again over the years and might be reluctant to strike a deal now that he appears to be in a position of power. Lou Di Bella, Hopkins' adviser, made that clear when he said: ``Jones can kiss our ---.''

Hopkins says he wants to fight De La Hoya in his next big fight, possibly at De La Hoya's weight of 154 pounds. Hopkins weighed only 157 - three pounds below the limit - Saturday.

The problem is De La Hoya will think twice about fighting Hopkins, who would be a considerable favorite if they were to meet.

Hopkins probably will fight a less-meaningful fight early next year while all this is sorted out.

Trinidad? He'll probably take some time off after his terrific run to the top and sudden fall. He's earned it. Possible opponents in the near future: De La Hoya, Mosley and Ike Quartey.

--Champ in defeat: Trinidad's arrogance bubbled over after his victory over De La Hoya.

He was given a gift by blind and/or corrupt judges and should've acted accordingly: He should've been gracious. Instead, he behaved as if he were the next coming of Sugar Ray Robinson, insulting De La Hoya repeatedly in the process.

On Saturday? He displayed uncommon class.

``I always said Bernard Hopkins was a great boxer,'' he said. ``He beat me tonight. I accept it.''

He was then asked whether a dispute over the manner in which his hands were wrapped affected his power.

``I'm a great puncher,'' he said. ``It doesn't matter how my hands were bandaged. It's just the way it went.''

--Coming up: Charles Brewer faces Fernando Zuniga in a 12-round super middleweight bout in Philadelphia on Friday on ESPN2.

On Saturday, on HBO, hot prospect Julio Diaz faces Angel Manfredy in a 12-round lightweight bout in Corpus Christi, Texas. Also on the card, Mark Johnson takes on Rafael Marquez in a 10-round junior bantamweight bout.

And Sunday, on Fox, Lamont Pearson faces Jesse Gutierrez in a 12-round junior lightweight bout in Capitol Heights, Md.

DAILY NEWS TOP 10

Pound-for-pound rankings

1. Roy Jones - He beat Hopkins and he could do it again.

2. Shane Mosley - A complete package needs a worthy opponent.

3. Bernard Hopkins - Finally, he gets the respect he deserves.

4. Floyd Mayweather - In a similar position as that of Mosley.

5. Marco Antonio Barrera - His victory over Hamed was Hopkins-like.

6. Oscar De La Hoya - He beat Trinidad, too.

7. Felix Trinidad - He's too good to stay down long.

8. Ricardo Lopez - As good as ever at 35.

9. Zab Judah - Too fast for Tszyu.

10. Erik Morales - Hey, the guy's still undefeated.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) Bernard Hopkins is draped with his three middleweight championship belts Saturday.

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Box: DAILY NEWS TOP 10 (see text)