Johnny Tapia 1967 - 2012

Johnny Tapia 1967 - 2012

Professional Ring Record

Interview with Johnny Tapia

Johnny Tapia vs Johnny Romero (Entire Fight)

I remember this fight well. This was a true crosstown rivalry for Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is the fight that made a believer out of me when it came to Johnny Tapia. I was, to some small degree, leaning toward Danny Romero but I was just looking for a good fight. Romero made a fight out it but Tapia seized the moment and stepped up to dominate the fight and win the battle for Albuquerque. Tapia went on to have an outstanding career but this is the fight that brought him national and international prominence. Rest in Peace Champ! You will be missed.

Boxing Great Johnny Tapia Has Died

Johnny Tapia has died today at age 45. R.I.P. Champ! Below is an interview with Johnny Tapia by James Smith from January of this year.

 

Book Review: Mi Vida Loca, The Crazy life of Johnny Tapia

If you think you’ve had a tough life, read this book and then count your blessings!. "Mi Vida Loca" by Johnny Tapia and Bettina Gilois, is a tough book to put down, once you start reading. Johnny takes us with him on his tortured journey though his childhood, his young manhood and his boxing career. He asks us several times throughout the book, if he is lucky or unlucky. A lot of both would be my guess. Johnny’s mother was murdered when he was eight, where he went to live with his grandparents , aunts and uncles. He suffered a lot of abuse from his family, but none more hurtful then the scorn and anger heaped upon him by his grandfather, whom he worshipped. Throughout his life it remained a difficult situation.

It takes us through the beginning of his boxing career with trainer/manager Paul Chavez, his drug addiction, his wife Teresa, whom ultimately became his manager and his five world titles.. The book is an easy read and is told in a pretty straightforward manner. You can almost hear Tapia’s voice as you read. If there is a problem with the book, it is in the editing . There are a few areas that I had to read through several times because of a missing word, a word that didn’t belong in the sentence, or a repeated paragraph. But the story it self was very compelling and I recommend it to anyone that loves boxing, and even if you don’t, it still makes great reading.

Tapia won five professional titles in three weight divisions; the WBO and IBF Junior Bantamweight titles, WBA and WBO Bantamweight titles, and IBF Featherweight title. As an amateur he won two National Golden Gloves titles. The biggest win of his life though remains his victory of drug addiction and depression.

Johnny Tapia's Career Record at BoxRec.com