Trinidad landed a right to the face that sent Cherifi to the canvas in the fourth round of their fight at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Cherifi got up from the blow, but Trinidad ended the fight by flooring the Frenchman again with a right and a left hook to the jaw.

The Puerta Rican had already knocked Cherifi down in the third with a right hook to the face.

Trinidad improved his record to 40 wins from 41 fights with his 34th knock-out, outboxing Cherifi from the opening bell.

It was the 29-year-old Puerto Rican's first fight since losing his world middleweight crown to Bernard Hopkins last September.

Hopkins caused a huge surprise by stopping the previously unbeaten Trinidad to become the first undisputed champion for 14 years.

But Trinidad showed he is still one of the best pound-for-pound boxers around, going for Cherifi in the second round with good left punches to the body and face.

In the third, he caught Cherifi with a straight right, sending his opponent to the canvas, before delivering the decisive blows with one minute and 43 seconds left in the fourth.

"I felt great. I haven't lost anything of my boxing skills and I'm ready to continue my quest to win another title for Puerto Rico," said Trinidad.

Rematch

"It's nice to be back and make it in front of my people. 'Tito' Trinidad is back and I promise I will be world champion again and avenge my loss to Hopkins."

Trinidad would like a rematch with Hopkins before the end of the year, even if promoter Don King said World Boxing Council super-welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya will be his next opponent.

"I want Hopkins next," Trinidad added. "I don't think De La Hoya would be next. But if he's in King's plans, then we'll see.

"I'm back and I consider myself one of the best, if not the best. So bring me the best. I'm ready for them."