Johnny Tapia, Five-Time Boxing Champion, Found Dead at Albuquerque Home

Johnny Tapia was an exciting fighter - 'Mi Vida Loca 'or 'My Crazy Life' was one of his tattoos and also the name of his autobiography... that moniker really stuck in my mind whenever his name was mentioned.  Good 'personal branding' they'd say at business school. 

Tapia rose to prominence in the late 80s, and eventually won five world boxing championships in three weight classes: super flyweight, bantamweight, and featherweight.

    

His final professional boxing record was 59 wins, five losses, and two draws. Thirty of his wins were knock-outs.

Tapia had an outstanding amateur career, and was the 1983 National Golden Gloves light flyweight champion and the 1985 National Golden Gloves flyweight champion.   He enjoyed a 101-21 (65 KOs) amateur career.

He always fought his heart out and I don't remember seeing a bad fight involving Johnny Tapia. 

He actually called himself a pit bull and definitely fought with that kind of determination and tenacity.

"I was raised as a pit bull," he wrote in the book, which was co-authored by Bettina Gilois. "Raised to fight to the death."

In 2007 he fought a comeback bout against Ilido Julio dubbed "The Final Fury" and a month later he was found unconscious of a cocaine overdose and was eventually taken into custody for violating his parole stemming from a prior cocaine offense.

In a boxing career spanning over two decades, he fought the last of them in June 2011.
He was knocked down just twice in his career, one of those occasions being in his last fight. He outpointed Mauricio Pastrana in an eight-round decision last June, having got up off the canvas to win the fight.

Johnny Tapia fights Manuel Medina in a 2002 IBF featherweight championship bout at Madison Square Garden in New York.

 

, 45, won five championships in three weight classes throughout his career, which included a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. The New Mexico native was known just as much for his out-of-the-ring antics as his in-ring success, however, becoming a crowd favorite as a result of his eccentric personality. Tapia had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, while also battling alcohol and cocaine problems and suffering from depression. In fact, Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years during the 1990s for his cocaine addiction. He would, however, obtain championship glory in 1994 after being reinstated, and then eventually captured four more titles while playing an underdog role. His last fight, a victory, came last June. An autopsy will be performed on Tapia's body in the coming days, according to Gibbs. Click here to read about Johnny Tapia's incredible life story >> Photo via Facebook/Johnny Tapia Related Stories Paul Pierce-LeBron James Matchup Contains Key to Celtics-Heat Eastern Conference Finals (Podcast) Ryan Sweeney Rejoins Red Sox in Style After Spending Week on Disabled… Felix Doubront Continues to Progress With 'Pretty Much' Best Start of Year… Vote: Does Major League Baseball Need to Expand Its Use of Instant… Eden Hazard Takes Talents to Twitter to Confirm Chelsea FC Move MLB Power Rankings 50 Greatest MLB Commercials Ever Biggest MLB Draft Steals Ever Why C's Must Keep KG to Compete Next Season The 10 Worst Calls in NBA Postseason History Check Out A-Rod's New Hot Girlfriend, Torrie Wilson Lesnar's Unique WWE Deal WWE Locker Room Unhappy With The Rock Lingerie Football, um, interview... and pics! Is Michelle Vawer The Robin To Kate Upton's Batman? 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Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html

The death didn't appear suspicious, an autopsy will be performed in the coming days.   Tapia had lived a very hard life with drug and alcohol problems.

The star’s success was marred by drug addiction, alcohol and depression he was hospitalized for three days in 2007 after an apparent cocaine overdose.
 

Tapia won five championships in three weight classes, and his last fight was almost a year ago, when he defeated Mauricio Pastrana.

 His road to boxing titles, fame and fortune was very hard and interupted by his wild lifestyle
 

Tapia started boxing at age 9 and had his first amateur fight at 11. In 1988, he began is professional career, which was interrupted by bouts outside the ring with substance abuse followed by treatment in rehab centers.  He was banned from boxing for 3 and a half years 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.

In his autobiography, "Mi Vida Loca: The Crazy Life of Johnny Tapia," the fighter says that his father was murdered before he was born and that he was eight when he saw his mother murdered.

 

Relatives raised him and he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, who had himself been a boxer.

 His life was plagued by drug abuse and near death by overdose: "Four times I was declared dead. Four times they wanted to pull life support. And many more times I came close to dying."

In his 2010 autobiography, "Mi Vida Loca," he sums up his troubled life. 

"My name is Johnny Lee Tapia. I was born on Friday the 13th. A Friday in February of 1967. To this day I don't know if that makes me lucky or unlucky. When I was eight I saw my mother murdered. I never knew my father. He was murdered before I was born. I was raised as a pit bull. Raised to fight to the death. Four times I was declared dead. Four times they wanted to pull life support. And many more times I came close to dying."

All that said,  

Johnny was one hell of a fighter 

always displaying cunning and barely controlled fury!

Johnny TapiaJohnny Tapia, a former boxing champion well-known for his wild

Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html

, 45, won five championships in three weight classes throughout his career, which included a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. The New Mexico native was known just as much for his out-of-the-ring antics as his in-ring success, however, becoming a crowd favorite as a result of his eccentric personality. Tapia had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, while also battling alcohol and cocaine problems and suffering from depression. In fact, Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years during the 1990s for his cocaine addiction. He would, however, obtain championship glory in 1994 after being reinstated, and then eventually captured four more titles while playing an underdog role. His last fight, a victory, came last June. An autopsy will be performed on Tapia's body in the coming days, according to Gibbs. Click here to read about Johnny Tapia's incredible life story >> Photo via Facebook/Johnny Tapia Related Stories Paul Pierce-LeBron James Matchup Contains Key to Celtics-Heat Eastern Conference Finals (Podcast) Ryan Sweeney Rejoins Red Sox in Style After Spending Week on Disabled… Felix Doubront Continues to Progress With 'Pretty Much' Best Start of Year… Vote: Does Major League Baseball Need to Expand Its Use of Instant… Eden Hazard Takes Talents to Twitter to Confirm Chelsea FC Move MLB Power Rankings 50 Greatest MLB Commercials Ever Biggest MLB Draft Steals Ever Why C's Must Keep KG to Compete Next Season The 10 Worst Calls in NBA Postseason History Check Out A-Rod's New Hot Girlfriend, Torrie Wilson Lesnar's Unique WWE Deal WWE Locker Room Unhappy With The Rock Lingerie Football, um, interview... and pics! Is Michelle Vawer The Robin To Kate Upton's Batman? 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Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html

Johnny Tapia, a former boxing champion well-known for his wild lifestyle, was found dead Sunday at his Albuquerque home. Police spokesman Robert Gibbs said that authorities responded to a call to Tapia's home at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, and that the death didn't appear to be suspicious. Tapia, 45, won five championships in three weight classes throughout his career, which included a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. The New Mexico native was known just as much for his out-of-the-ring antics as his in-ring success, however, becoming a crowd favorite as a result of his eccentric personality. Tapia had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, while also battling alcohol and cocaine problems and suffering from depression. In fact, Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years during the 1990s for his cocaine addiction.

Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html

Johnny TapiaJohnny Tapia, a former boxing champion well-known for his wild lifestyle, was found dead Sunday at his Albuquerque home. Police spokesman Robert Gibbs said that authorities responded to a call to Tapia's home at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, and that the death didn't appear to be suspicious. Tapia, 45, won five championships in three weight classes throughout his career, which included a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. The New Mexico native was known just as much for his out-of-the-ring antics as his in-ring success, however, becoming a crowd favorite as a result of his eccentric personality. Tapia had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, while also battling alcohol and cocaine problems and suffering from depression. In fact, Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years during the 1990s for his cocaine addiction. He would, however, obtain championship glory in 1994 after being reinstated, and then eventually captured four more titles while playing an underdog role. His last fight, a victory, came last June. An autopsy will be performed on Tapia's body in the coming days, according to Gibbs. Click here to read about Johnny Tapia's incredible life story >> Photo via Facebook/Johnny Tapia Related Stories Paul Pierce-LeBron James Matchup Contains Key to Celtics-Heat Eastern Conference Finals (Podcast) Ryan Sweeney Rejoins Red Sox in Style After Spending Week on Disabled… Felix Doubront Continues to Progress With 'Pretty Much' Best Start of Year… Vote: Does Major League Baseball Need to Expand Its Use of Instant… Eden Hazard Takes Talents to Twitter to Confirm Chelsea FC Move MLB Power Rankings 50 Greatest MLB Commercials Ever Biggest MLB Draft Steals Ever Why C's Must Keep KG to Compete Next Season The 10 Worst Calls in NBA Postseason History Check Out A-Rod's New Hot Girlfriend, Torrie Wilson Lesnar's Unique WWE Deal WWE Locker Room Unhappy With The Rock Lingerie Football, um, interview... and pics! Is Michelle Vawer The Robin To Kate Upton's Batman? Comments () inShare More Headlines Felix Doubront Continues to Progress With 'Pretty Much' Best Start of Year (Video)Felix Doubront Continues to Progress With 'Pretty Much' Best Start of Year (Video) Eden Hazard Takes Talents to Twitter to Confirm Chelsea FC MoveEden Hazard Takes Talents to Twitter to Confirm Chelsea FC Move Ryan Sweeney's 'Holiday Helper' Performance Ensures Memorial Day Cookouts Will Taste Better (Video)Ryan Sweeney's 'Holiday Helper' Performance Ensures Memorial Day Cookouts Will Taste Better (Video) Daniel Nava Looks Like Completely Different Player Offensively, Defensively During Current MLB Stint (Video)Daniel Nava Looks Like Completely Different Player Offensively, Defensively During Current MLB Stint (Video) Dustin Pedroia Exits Game Against Tigers With Jammed Right ThumbDustin Pedroia Exits Game Against Tigers With Jammed Right Thumb Jerry Remy, Don Orsillo React Very Differently as Foul Ball Heads Towards NESN Booth (Animation)Jerry Remy, Don Orsillo React Very Differently as Foul Ball Heads Towards NESN Booth (Animation) Fox Sports Tweets News of Lionel Messi's Death, Hoax Blamed on HackersFox Sports Tweets News of Lionel Messi's Death, Hoax Blamed on Hackers Dustin Pedroia Proves Muddy Chicken Can Fly, Must Have Had Too Much Red Bull (Caption Contest)Dustin Pedroia Proves Muddy Chicken Can Fly, Must Have Had Too Much Red Bull (Caption Contest) Dodgers Players A.J. Ellis, Clayton Kershaw Rip Off Zach Galifianakis With 'Between Two Palm Trees' Show (Video)Dodgers Players A.J. Ellis, Clayton Kershaw Rip Off Zach Galifianakis With 'Between Two Palm Trees' Show (Video) Vote: Will Jarrod Saltalamacchia Be an All-Star This Season?Vote: Will Jarrod Saltalamacchia Be an All-Star This Season? 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Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html

Johnny Tapia, a former boxing champion well-known for his wild lifestyle, was found dead Sunday at his Albuquerque home. Police spokesman Robert Gibbs said that authorities responded to a call to Tapia's home at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, and that the death didn't appear to be suspicious. Tapia, 45, won five championships in three weight classes throughout his career, which included a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. The New Mexico native was known just as much for his out-of-the-ring antics as his in-ring success, however, becoming a crowd favorite as a result of his eccentric personality. Tapia had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, while also battling alcohol and cocaine problems and suffering from depression. In fact, Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years during the 1990s for his cocaine addiction. He would, however, obtain championship glory in 1994 after being reinstated, and then eventually captured four more titles while playing an underdog role. His last fight, a victory, came last June. An autopsy will be performed on Tapia's body in the coming days, according to Gibbs.

Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html

Johnny Tapia, a former boxing champion well-known for his wild lifestyle, was found dead Sunday at his Albuquerque home. Police spokesman Robert Gibbs said that authorities responded to a call to Tapia's home at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, and that the death didn't appear to be suspicious. Tapia, 45, won five championships in three weight classes throughout his career, which included a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. The New Mexico native was known just as much for his out-of-the-ring antics as his in-ring success, however, becoming a crowd favorite as a result of his eccentric personality. Tapia had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, while also battling alcohol and cocaine problems and suffering from depression. In fact, Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years during the 1990s for his cocaine addiction.

Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html

Johnny Tapia, a former boxing champion well-known for his wild lifestyle, was found dead Sunday at his Albuquerque home. Police spokesman Robert Gibbs said that authorities responded to a call to Tapia's home at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, and that the death didn't appear to be suspicious. Tapia, 45, won five championships in three weight classes throughout his career, which included a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. The New Mexico native was known just as much for his out-of-the-ring antics as his in-ring success, however, becoming a crowd favorite as a result of his eccentric personality. Tapia had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, while also battling alcohol and cocaine problems and suffering from depression. In fact, Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years during the 1990s for his cocaine addiction.

Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html

Johnny TapiaJohnny Tapia, a former boxing champion well-known for his wild lifestyle, was found dead Sunday at his Albuquerque home. Police spokesman Robert Gibbs said that authorities responded to a call to Tapia's home at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, and that the death didn't appear to be suspicious. Tapia, 45, won five championships in three weight classes throughout his career, which included a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. The New Mexico native was known just as much for his out-of-the-ring antics as his in-ring success, however, becoming a crowd favorite as a result of his eccentric personality. Tapia had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, while also battling alcohol and cocaine problems and suffering from depression. In fact, Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years during the 1990s for his cocaine addiction. He would, however, obtain championship glory in 1994 after being reinstated, and then eventually captured four more titles while playing an underdog role. His last fight, a victory, came last June. An autopsy will be performed on Tapia's body in the coming days, according to Gibbs. Click here to read about Johnny Tapia's incredible life story >>

Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html

Johnny TapiaJohnny Tapia, a former boxing champion well-known for his wild lifestyle, was found dead Sunday at his Albuquerque home. Police spokesman Robert Gibbs said that authorities responded to a call to Tapia's home at around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, and that the death didn't appear to be suspicious. Tapia, 45, won five championships in three weight classes throughout his career, which included a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. The New Mexico native was known just as much for his out-of-the-ring antics as his in-ring success, however, becoming a crowd favorite as a result of his eccentric personality. Tapia had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, while also battling alcohol and cocaine problems and suffering from depression. In fact, Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years during the 1990s for his cocaine addiction. He would, however, obtain championship glory in 1994 after being reinstated, and then eventually captured four more titles while playing an underdog role. His last fight, a victory, came last June. An autopsy will be performed on Tapia's body in the coming days, according to Gibbs. Click here to read about Johnny Tapia's incredible life story >>

Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-tapia-five-time-boxing-champion-found-dead-at-albuquerque-home.html