Five-time boxing champion Johnny Tapia found dead – Boxing News
Former boxing champion Johnny Tapia was found dead at his house in Albuquerque on Sunday, police has confirmed. Tapia was suffering from cocaine addiction, depression and alcoholism. He also had times of conflicts with the law. Cause of his death is not
confirmed yet and an autopsy will be performed in the recent days to confirm the cause.
According to Spokesman Robert Gibbs, authorities were called to Tapia’s residence at 7:45. Gibbs added that the death does not seem to be suspicious.
Tapia had a tough life since childhood. Even his boxing career brought in many tragedies for the five-time boxing champion. He won the IBF and WBO junior bantamweight titles, WBA bantamweight title and the IBF featherweight title. He was known as ‘consummate
underdog’ by his fans and led a troublesome boxing career, even though he was a great achiever. Tapia went to the jail several times.
Tapia lost his parents in a tragic incident at the age of eight. His mother was stabbed 26 times with a screwdriver until she passed away. Tapia faced a boxing ban for three and a half years during the 90s since he was found guilty of consuming cocaine.
In 1994, he went head to head with Henry Martinez for the WBO bantamweight title. Luckily, Tapia knocked out the then champion Henry and won the title. Later on, he earned four more titles to become the top pugilists of the world.
Tapia was hospitalised in 2007 after he was found overdosed with cocaine. During the same year, his nephew and brother-in-law met a car accident and expired.
Tapia fought last in June against Mauricio Pastrana. He defeated Mauricio Pastrana in an eight-round decision. By the time he ended his career, he held a record of 59 wins, 5 losses and 2 ties.
For now, the sad news of his demise has marked the end of a champion’s era. Most boxers suffer from depression and addictions when they quit since fighting become a part of their routine. Not all of them get out the swing like Ricky Hatton and lead on a
normal life. At least, Tapia was not fortune enough.
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