Johnny Tapia Dead at 45
by Free Britney at .Johnny Tapia, a five-time boxing champion whose turbulent career was marked by cocaine addiction, alcohol, depression and legal problems, has died.
He was 45. Authorities were called to his house in New Mexico at about 7:45 p.m. on Sunday. The death didn't appear to be suspicious, officials said.
Tapia won five titles in three weight classes, winning the WBA bantamweight title, the IBF and WBO junior bantamweight titles and the IBF featherweight belt.
He was regarded as the consummate underdog by his fans. The more trouble he found outside the ring, which was often, the more they rallied around him.
His life was also marked by tragedy - he was orphaned at 8, after his mother stabbed 26 times with a screwdriver and left to die - throughout.
In 2007, he was hospitalized after an apparent cocaine overdose. Several days later, his brother-in-law and his nephew were killed in car accident.
Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years in the early '90s because of his cocaine addiction, but returned to win five titles from 1994-2002.
He last fought in June, outpointing Mauricio Pastrana in an eight-round decision. He finished with a 59-5-2 record over a long, tough career. R.I.P.
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Comments (10 Total)
I am so so shocked and sad to learn of Tapia's death. I always remember one day about 13 or so years ago when I was working at the Ruidoso Walmart in New Mexico when Johnny and family came in. there was a african american family whom had about a 3 or 4 month old baby whom Johnny asked if he could hold, which of course the parents let him. Johnny's face lit up and he was just so so happy and I believe it was his wife he said "look honey she likes me" he was just so happy and so happy. I only knew and heard good things about him and know he will be truely missed by many. My prayers are with his family and friends
JOHNNNY YOU WILL BE MISSED GOD BLESS YOUR WIFE AND SONS. I REMMEMBER YOU FROM WASHINTON MIDDILE SCHOOL & ALBUQ HIGH SCHOOL WE WOULD WORK OUT IN GYM GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER YOU WILL BE SURELY MISSED I GUESS GOD NEEDS FIGHTERS IN HEAVEN. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BRO.
May God be with you and your family Johnny Tapia. I was always a fan and will never forget the entertainment you supplied boxing fan with. R.I.P now. No more worries at all. All of this stuff here on earth has ended now.
Ese Johnny noone can judge you but only God. So who cares what anyone says but u are Burques champ. R. I. P homeboy.....
The one and only the real champ in life and in the ring tapia...we will never forget you..rip