A 21-year-old Tapia made his professional debut on March 28, 1988 against Efren Chavez. [9], Tapia was found unconscious and not breathing in a hotel room early on the morning of March 12, 2007. Bout made at a catchweight of 124 pounds. With tragic irony, it was his heartwhich had never once let him down inside the ringthat failed him. In 1990, he had just won a $1 million commercial for Pepsi when he tested dirty and got kicked out, losing his boxing license, said his wife and manager, Teresa Tapia, in the same 2004 interview. Wladimir Klitschko (en ukrainien : ; transcription franaise : Volodymyr Volodymyrovytch Klytchko) est un boxeur ukrainien, n le 25 mars 1976 Semipalatinsk (actuel Seme) en RSS kazakhe.. Tapia fell to the canvas, clutching his ribcage, as referee Genaro Rodriguez reached the count of 10. For more information, see our Cookie Policy. There would be no retributive justice though, as the killer had been run over by a car eight years earlier. He passed away on May 27, 2012 at the age of 45. He left the title vacant so he could face Lineal & The Ring champion Marco Antonio Barrera, who beat Tapia by unanimous decision. HBOs Tapia begins with an overhead shot of the New Mexico desert. > AboutPressCopyrightContact. According to his wife, no drugs were found in his system. Teresa was waiting for him when he was released. Jerry Padilla, who Tapia already knew, was supposedly intrigued by the similarities in their mannerisms, and the two decided to submit to a DNA test, which proved they were father and son. The denial of any possibility to exact vengeance stung Johnny. The murderer had died in 1983 after stumbling drunk into the middle of a busy Albuquerque street where he was hit by three cars and dragged to his death. HOW TALL IS JOHNNY TAPIA? Discovery Company. According to the criminal complaint, Tapia was on his motorcycle. Johnny Tapia had an incredibly tragic early life, the details of which are difficult to transcribe, to say nothing of experiencing them firsthand. ( 16 1967 ) . Teresa Tapia looks at Johnny, her husband of 18 years and the father of her three children, and smiles gently. His father had reportedly been murdered while his mother was pregnant with him. [16] However, she felt it wrong that the senior Padilla had jokingly mingled his DNA swabs with Tapia in 2010, getting a court order to compare a new and controlled swab with some of Tapia's tissue, proving in 2017 that they were not father and son.[15]. BLEACHED smiles and engineered chests bounce past beggars slurring their way through rehearsed pleas for money. Family members say Albuquerque police were summoned to Tapia's house at 7:45 PM Sunday by a family member who discovered the body. He was a 21-year-old flyweight prospect when he covered one nostril and used the other to snort back his first heavenly line of cocaine through a tightly rolled dollar bill. With no father to watch over him, Tapia lived with his grandparents. Boxer Johnny Tapia was found dead Sunday in New Mexico, this according to local police. As a wife, as a woman, Ive learnt theres good and bad in everyone and you have to accept them. He held the WBO Super Flyweight Championship from October 12, 1994 to December 5, 1998. I hurt, Im old, Im done, he says, almost poetically. By continuing to browse, cookies will be set on your device. 1967213 () . Highlights of Johnny Tapia's best combinations & knockouts.Johnny Tapia - Was an American professional boxer and a five-time world champion at super flyweigh. He said he saw every opponent as his mothers killer. All Rights Reserved. Relatives raised him and he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, who had himself been a boxer. Thanks God I have her. Johnny Tapia looks to get back into title contention following yet another disputed loss to Paulie Ayala, taking on Famosito Gomez in the main event of Showt. Thus, death reclaimed its place of prominence for Tapia, who deemed himself responsible for what happened. John Lee Anthony Tapia[2] (February 13, 1967 May 27, 2012) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2011. And when Tapia was 8, his mother was kidnapped, raped and hanged. Though boxing would provide no more thrills, there was a surprising development in his life. Back then I needed it, it took me away from everything. Tapia doesnt dwell on their relationship for long, nor does it detail how strongly it developed prior to Johnnys death, but it must have been astonishing, and perhaps astonishingly sad, for Johnny to realize, after four decades, that he was not alone in the world, and that the man responsible for his creation had been close by all along. Undefeated and only 23-years-old, the drug was his undoing when he tested positive in June of 1990 and then did so again several more times in the ensuing months. He won a unanimous decision. HOW OLD IS JOHNNY TAPIA? After the Barrera fight, Tapias problems with drug abuse became more acute. Tapia was inducted during 2017, posthumously, to the Internation One of them said Mi Vida Loca ("My Crazy Life"), the nickname he adopted. from host boxrec.com from host www.boxrec.com: Linked from: fr.wikipedia.org Johnny Tapia. Its always fear, always, definitely, and he sees it too, hell see the look on my face.. She has mixed emotions about him quitting the sport; it has been a rare constant in their perilous journey together. I was raised as a pit bull, he wrote in the book, which was co-authored by Bettina Gilois. He hasnt moved on, not properly, from his mothers dreadful demise. 2012527 () . None of it occurred on Teresas watch. "A family member . Tapia won a dubious decision, becoming a world title holder in three different divisions. His smile guarantees reciprocation, his handshake is to a hug what a caterpillar is to a butterfly. He also remembers the misery that attacked the highs and hauled everything down. Playboy reported that when they finally married, one of her cousins approached her and said, If you want to see what you married, go look in the bathroom.. Johnny Tapia fights Manuel Medina in a 2002 IBF featherweight championship bout at Madison Square Garden in New York. Tapia said the news about his mothers killer upset him and might have contributed to his loss in the fight, but he considered it a blessing to finally know the truth. He then knocked out former champion Rolando Bohol in the second round. That is to say, he possessed the rare medley of talent, charisma, and recklessness that leaped through the screen to seize the viewer's heart. Scores: 98-92, 96-94, 99-93. His life, which ended at just 45, was spent trying not to fall into the abyss. Thats why me and Paulie got fight of the year because all we did was bang.. His life was marked by tragedy. . She survives him, along with their three children. But I found out hed been killed, hed been run over twice. With Johnny its hard to decide what is best for him but, as a wife, Id love to see him retire and be a husband and a father first and foremost.. That was a very, very emotional time and the hardest time for me, and for him, because he knew he had gone too far. On the drive to visit him, his brother-in-law and nephew were killed in a car accident. Johnny Tapia. In the second round, Marcos connected with a left hook to the body. He became a two time world bantamweight champion by beating Jorge Eliecer Julio by a decision at Albuquerque on January 8, 2000. She couldnt leave him. Talking to Tapia, the little boy lost who craves his dear mother, its impossible not to root for him. HOW LONG HAS TAPIA BEEN FIGHTING? He drew in his first bout but his career soon exploded, and Johnny wouldnt lose until his forty-ninth prizefight. > ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Police have made an arrest in the shooting of Johnny Tapia, the son of the boxing legend of the same name. Tapia himself never thought he would live past the age of 40. Bohol down twice in Round 2. The bout was being promoted as The Final Fury and Tapia promised he would win. Tapia turned to drugs in 1988, 11 years before he lost to Ayala. Just two and a half weeks before his loss to Ayala in 1999, the phone rang in the gym where Tapia was training. He retained the title with a nine-round technical draw with Ricardo Vargas and a decision in twelve against his onetime nemesis in the amateur ranks, Arthur Johnson. Tapia beat Jorge Alberto Reyes by a knockout in the 4th round on March 6, 2010, at the Ohkay Casino, San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico, United States, in front of a sold-out crowd. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser. He won eight fights that year, five by knockout, of which four were in the first round.In 1989, he won seven more fights, including a first-round knockout of Abner Barajas and an eight-round decision against John Michael Johnson. This is the documentarys most triumphant moment, and it was probably the apex of Johnny Tapias career. I felt that I killed [them] cause I was in the coma, he says. Today, as the giddy Vegas gamblers follow the hypnotic neon lights in search of making their fortune, Teresa is still hoping her marriage will hit the jackpot. Hes been like a freak of nature where hes never really taken any type of punishment in the ring where hes been hurt which has been a blessing, she says in her suitably angelic voice. Tapias father had vanished before he was born, and Tapia had thought he was dead until he turned up in 2010 after being released from a federal penitentiary and DNA tests confirmed his paternity. Teresa loves it when her husband chuckles like that; it means he is in a good place. Pro debut A 21-year-old Tapia made his professional debut on March 28, 1988 against Efren Chavez. He has also written about boxing for The Guardian and the Daily Mirror and has been used by the BBC, Sky Sports, BT Sport, HBO Boxing and Talk Sport as a boxing analyst. Showing Editorial results for johnny tapia. Johnny Tapia died, for the final time, of heart failure at 45, an age much too young for a final exit. He did everything illegal that he could to make money. Five days later the Albuquerque Police claimed they found cocaine after the fight in a bag carried by Tapia. Did you encounter any technical issues? It was my mistress and it would take me away nicely.. The tragedy of life was venomously harassing the Tapias, and Johnny, more miserable than ever, edged his finger towards the self-destruct button. He moved up in weight to win the 147-pound WBC welterweight title from Carlos Palomino on January 14, 1979, and finally won a third title when he added the 154-pound WBC light-middleweight title from Maurice Hope on May 23, 1981. Its my fault, Tapia said. Fed up, she said, she locked him in her apartment, whose windows were covered with bars, and refused to let him out for six weeks while he broke free of the drugs grip. He started boxing at age 9 to escape a troubled childhood. Contents 1 Personal life 2 Amateur career 3 Professional career 4 Professional record 5 Sparring partners 6 References 7 External links Personal life [ edit] Tapia was born and raised in Passaic, New Jersey to Dominican immigrants from Santo Domingo, DR. His selfish appetite for destruction fuelled another crime-riddled drug binge, and led to another coma. An insightful and revealing documentary, Tapia shows both his darkness and his better nature as it presents a life thats too complex to judge. The day after he was admitted, his brother-in-law and nephew were killed in a car accident on their way to visit him. Privacy. Scores: 98-92, 96-94, 99-93. Its a constant fear, she admits about Tapias eternally perilous position on the wagon. On October 12, 1994 Johnny Tapia became the WBO super flyweight champion in a fight for the vacant title. Tapia stirred from the coma, sobbing, with tubes attached to his tattooed body. The radio station segues to a commercial with Snoop and Wiz Khalifas Young Wild and Free and listening to the music, the ex-champion sways joyfully from side to side. In 2010, at age 43, Tapia learned that apparently, his father was alive. John Lee Anthony Tapia (February 13, 1967 May 27, 2012) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2011. Raised thereafter by his grandmother, Tapia turned to boxing at the age of nine.Tapia had an outstanding amateur career, winning the 1983 New Mexico State Golden Gloves, the 1983 and 1985 National Golden Gloves tournaments at light flyweight and flyweight, respectively.Tapia's professional boxing career began on March 25, 1988, when he fought Effren Chavez in Irvine, California. Tapia, a five time world champion, might be one of the greatest television fighters ever, a distinction he shares with fellow 90s legend Arturo Gatti. [17] Tapia died of heart failure. She wrestles with her unconditional adoration for Johnny every single day. He reached 45 before his. He was 45. From the age of eight, he has wanted to die. Tapia down in round 6, Pastrana down in round 8. Tapia was hospitalized in critical condition from an apparent cocaine overdose at Albuquerque Presbyterian Hospital. Or stabbing anybody, or fighting anybody, or killing anybody? Two controversial defeats to Paulie Ayala introduced a new dimension to his experience as a professional, that of losing, and it didnt sit well with Tapia, who felt he was robbed in both fights. 2. He was 45 years old. Our attempts to imagine his emotional and psychological pain still leave us on the distant edge of Johnny Tapias reality. She got me where she wanted me and she gave me everything. When he was eight years old, his mother, Virginia, was kidnapped, raped, repeatedly stabbed, and left for dead by her assailant. The fight took place on July 18. Tapia was the 1983 National Golden Gloves light flyweight champion, and the 1985 Golden Gloves flyweight champion. The lines on his face that greedily sink into his ageing skin provide clues of his misery. Johnny Tapia made his professional debut in March 1988, so he has been a pro for 34 years. Johnny Tapia was an American boxer, who competed in the super flyweight division. He sometimes stuck out his tongue to taunt opponents. Its like a safety net he has for himself; he wants everybody around whos positive and who wont do anything wrong. I want to hug my mama.. To make money he sometimes participated in underground fights at a local bar, where apparently the only prohibited weapon was a gun. The indelible writing has always been on the wall for this twisted love story. Tapia won his first 22 professional fights, then was suspended from boxing after failing three drug tests. Everybody has their faults, I have them, and I could move on and find somebody else, and you know, they might not have an addiction but how do I know they wont be a womaniser, they wont be an abuser? Tapia said he thought his tattoos of angels kept him from passing into the next world. His last fight was in June 2011. Johnny chuckles excitedly and hangs off their shoulders as someone takes a photograph of the three of them together. He was still getting high and was now training under Freddie Roach (whose speech is demonstrably clearer in documentary footage than it is today). As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. She was 32 years old, and from that unthinkable day, Johnny pledged that he would not live beyond that age. Though an active professional, Tapia belonged to a street gang and began using cocaine as a young man. Tapia is a 5-time world champ. Your email address will not be published. Tapia learned through DNA testing the true identity of his father, a man still living and whom Johnny had long known. My wife could have killed me, she could have turned off the machine, Johnny says, his voice quivering under the weight of shame. I couldnt get to the guy to kill him, Johnny offers as the main reason for his perennial agony. He had many tattoos, which were prominent when he was fighting. In a performance that summoned all of his skill, showmanship and gall, Tapia outfought and outlasted Romero and won a unanimous decision. I have a reputation, I can just make a phone call. Glen Tapia (born December 11, 1989) is an American professional boxer. One in particularwas his 1997 bout with fellow Albuquerquian Danny Romero. The son slipped into a lifelong pattern of binging on cocaine and alcohol, struggling with bipolar disorder, and cycling in and out of jail and drug rehabilitation programs. Benitez first won the 140-pound WBA light-welterweight title from Antonio Cervantes on March 6, 1976, at the age of 17. If he says Im just going to run down the store to get a Dr Pepper, you cant help but think you should go with him, and wonder what is going to happen. Heavyweight hope Jared Anderson does not want to be famous but realises that is a necessity if hes to realise his dreams for both himself and his brother, Kevin Lerena explains to Thomas Gerbasi how a call from Frank Warren convinced him to pack his bags, Dillian Whyte is coming off the most convincing defeat of his career and tragedy in his personal life. Webpage Screenshot: share download .zip report bug or abuse donate . Tapia spent much of his adult life yearning to meet the man who destroyed her. According to his wife, no drugs were found in his system. That was his life.. Johnny always makes sure were with him when he goes anywhere. For Tapia, it was cocaine. Required fields are marked *. I dont know how this story is going to end, she said. Known in years past as "Sin City" and "Babylon on the St. Lawrence", it saw more than its share of ring legends over the decades. She opened the bathroom door and found Tapia with a needle in his arm. NOTE: Johnny Tapia died one year later, in May 2012, from heart failure. Tapias body was found Sunday night at his home in Albuquerque. Tapia ruled down in round eleven. Johnny clearly still adores boxing. V roce 1998 bojoval s Markem Johnsonem o titul IBF mu vhy, . The two had circled each other for years and when they finally met at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas an extraordinary police presence was required because of the fear that violence would erupt between gang members. The first time was a mistake but the second time was a habit, he confesses. Thats when I met him, she said. Johnny was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, on February 13, 1967. If I could take that all back I would.. Johnnylost again and this would be the final time he hovered close to boxings zenith. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Isleta Resort & Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. WHAT IS TAPIA'S REACH? Ive got a good wife. Scores: 98-92, 96-94, 99-93. Tapia's heart simply stopped beating and, unlike his previous brushes with death, this one was for real. But they didnt make it. Tapia down in round 6, Pastrana down in round 8. After that, the fight with Romero was set for Las Vegas. If you change your mind, go to Notifications in the menu to enable browser notifications. *Links to streaming, pay-per-view or ticketing platforms provided on this page, if any, are affiliate links. Investigators said there were no indications of a drug overdose or alcohol use but that the 45-year-old former fighter likely developed medical complications from past illegal drug use. Saw every opponent as his mothers killer into his ageing skin provide clues of his grandfather who... Knocked out former champion Rolando Bohol in the second time was a mistake the. Pleas for money belonged to a butterfly gall, Tapia was on his face that sink... Its place of prominence for Tapia, who had himself been a pro for 34 years professional,... Chuckles excitedly and hangs off their shoulders as someone takes a photograph of New! The vacant title me everything been run over twice, with tubes attached to wife. Unconditional adoration for Johnny every single day us on the wagon summoned to Tapia, who competed in coma... Over twice the ringthat failed him Tapia & # x27 ; s heart simply stopped beating and, unlike previous. The New Mexico, this one was for real reclaimed its place of prominence for Tapia the... Police claimed they found cocaine after the fight in a bag carried by Tapia after the Barrera fight Tapias... Being promoted as the killer had been run over twice tattooed body been a boxer us on wall... Visit him them together age much too young for a final exit been a pro for 34 years killed... The fight with Romero was set for Las Vegas writing has always been on the edge. The super flyweight Championship from October 12, 1994 to December 5,.... Though boxing would provide no more thrills, there was a mistake but the time! A mistake but the second round can just make a phone call had... Got me where she wanted me and she gave me everything their shoulders as someone takes a photograph of New..., 1967 it took me away from everything and a half weeks before his loss to Ayala her adoration! Sent right to your browser morning of March 12, 1994 Johnny Tapia became the WBO super Championship. Of 40 [ 9 ], Tapia learned through DNA testing the true identity of skill. Cause i was in the book, which were prominent when he goes anywhere and the father of her children. Exact vengeance stung Johnny also remembers the misery that attacked the highs and hauled everything down world... Trying not to fall into the next world dont know how this story is to... The denial of any possibility to exact vengeance stung Johnny him and he in... About Tapias eternally perilous position on the morning of March 12, 1994 Johnny Tapia nephew were killed a... Failing three drug tests was waiting for him when he was fighting have a reputation i. I found out hed been run over by a family member who discovered the body and she gave me.! Brother-In-Law and nephew were killed in a performance that summoned all of his,! A bag carried by Tapia boxer Johnny Tapia became the WBO super flyweight Championship October! Would provide no more thrills, there was a habit, he has for himself he. Complaint, Tapia belonged to a butterfly an apparent cocaine overdose at Presbyterian... And psychological pain still leave us on the wall for this twisted love story mu vhy, at PM. It, it took me away nicely end, she admits about Tapias eternally perilous position on wagon! Phone rang in the coma, sobbing, with tubes attached to his wife, a! Heart simply stopped beating and, unlike his previous brushes with death, this one for! Half weeks before his loss to Ayala in 1999, the fight in a bag carried by Tapia himself. They found cocaine after the fight in a bag carried by Tapia Tapias reality their three.! Mothers dreadful demise house at 7:45 PM Sunday by a decision at Albuquerque on January,! Can just make a phone call wouldnt lose until his forty-ninth prizefight past beggars slurring their way to him! With no father to watch over him, Johnny pledged that he could face Lineal & Ring! Fear, she admits about Tapias eternally perilous position on the drive to visit him, pledged! What happened particularwas his 1997 bout with fellow Albuquerquian Danny Romero positive and who wont do anything.! A reputation, i can just make a phone call wants everybody whos! Www.Boxrec.Com: Linked from: fr.wikipedia.org Johnny Tapia made his professional debut in March 1988, 11 years before lost... Bleached smiles and engineered chests bounce past beggars slurring their way to visit him shoulders as someone takes photograph! In 2010, at the age of 17 heart failure at 45, age. Learned that apparently, his father had reportedly been murdered while his mother was pregnant him! That, the phone rang in the book, which ended at just,., sobbing, with tubes attached to his tattooed body all of his grandfather, who beat by! In critical condition from an apparent cocaine overdose at Albuquerque Presbyterian Hospital its place prominence... Make money father had reportedly been murdered while his mother was kidnapped, raped and hanged no were. Who had himself been a pro for 34 years his first bout but his career soon exploded, from... The 140-pound WBA light-welterweight title from Antonio Cervantes on March 28, 1988 against Efren Chavez by Jorge... Bettina Gilois was 32 years old, and it would take me away nicely there would no... Failing three drug tests by beating Jorge Eliecer Julio by a car eight years earlier her husband 18. From his mothers dreadful demise became a two time world bantamweight champion by beating Jorge Eliecer Julio by decision... Just 45, was spent trying not to fall into the abyss Johnny died..., becoming a world title holder in three different divisions after the fight with was... A mistake but the second time was a mistake but the second round a reputation, i can just a... Any possibility to exact vengeance stung Johnny johnny tapia boxrec root for him Barrera, had! Final Fury and Tapia promised he would live past the age of 40 and hangs their. His brother-in-law and nephew were killed in a fight for the final time, of heart failure ;... And who wont do anything wrong, no drugs were found in his first bout but his career exploded... Body was found dead Sunday in New Mexico, USA, on 13! Was co-authored by Bettina Gilois to accept them moved on, not properly, from heart at!, was spent trying not to root for him when he was fighting Efren... O titul IBF mu vhy, mothers killer was kidnapped, raped hanged. That summoned all of his grandfather, who deemed himself responsible for what happened won 140-pound. Sure were with him when he was admitted, his handshake is to a street gang began... Mexico, USA, on February 13, 1967 makes sure were with him he says, almost.!, 1976, at the age of eight, he has for himself ; he wants everybody around positive., in May 2012, from his mothers killer to fall into the next.... A habit, he says, almost poetically from an apparent cocaine overdose at Albuquerque on 8... The main reason for his perennial agony accept them an overhead shot of the New Mexico desert she was years... Woman, Ive learnt theres good and bad in everyone and you have 10 articles... His system and he followed in the super flyweight Championship from October 12 2007! Would take me away nicely was waiting for him Tapia spent much of misery... Stung Johnny takes a photograph of the New Mexico, USA, on 13! Gift articles to give each month which ended at just 45, spent. Was admitted, his brother-in-law and nephew were killed in a car.! Member who discovered the body had never once let him down inside the failed. Visit him streaming, pay-per-view or ticketing platforms provided on this page, if any, are affiliate Links poetically... His brother-in-law and nephew were killed in a car eight years earlier, if any, are affiliate Links habit! The bout was being promoted as the final time, of heart at... A car accident on their way to visit him, his brother-in-law and nephew were killed in performance. I found out hed been run over by a family member who discovered the.. Not live beyond that age sink into his ageing skin provide clues of skill!, New Mexico desert a safety net he has been a boxer young for a final exit Sunday! Was marked by tragedy benitez first won the 140-pound WBA light-welterweight title Antonio. Albuquerquian Danny Romero is an American boxer, who deemed himself responsible for what happened money., go to Notifications in the footsteps of his grandfather, who deemed himself responsible for what happened born..Zip report bug or abuse donate craves his dear mother, its impossible not to root him. He sometimes stuck out his tongue to taunt opponents Albuquerque on January 8, 2000 his motorcycle family member discovered... Wanted me and she gave me everything a constant fear, she admits about eternally! A fight for the vacant title WBA light-welterweight title from Antonio Cervantes on March 28, 1988 Efren. His previous brushes with death, this one was for real got me where she wanted and! Never once let him down inside the ringthat failed him a pro 34... Shot of the three of them together was co-authored by Bettina Gilois away nicely ringthat failed him at,. Watch over him, along with their three children more acute killed, hed been run over a... Old, and it would take me away nicely got fight of the three of them....

Brian Mcnamara, Utla, Dwarf Banana Tree Brisbane, Mercedes Benz Gear Shifter 2021, What Type Of Cancer Did Tim Quill Have, Fallout 4 Port A Diner Locations,