Five-time world champion boxer Johnny Tapia was found dead yesterday in his Albuquerque, New Mexico home. He was 45.
Police were called to the the home at 7:45 p.m. Sunday after a family member discovered Tapia’s body. According to spokesman Robert Gibbs of the Albuquerque police department, the death does not appear to be suspicious and no cause of death has yet been determined.
The boxer was orphaned at age 8 when his mother was stabbed 26 times with a screwdriver and left to die. His father was reportedly murdered before Johnny was born.
Tapia was banned from boxing for three years in the early 90’s because of his cocaine addiction before going on to win the WBO Bantamweight title in 1994, and won four more championships over the next eight years. He finished his career with a 59-5-2 record.
He had several previous close brushes with death, including a 2007 cocaine overdose that left him in critical condition.
An autopsy is pending.
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