No shock in early end to ‘crazy life’
Five-time champ fought – and lived – at furious pace Anything I do, I’m a professional at it – alcoholic, doper, addict, whatever you want to call it. Johnny Tapia Last week’s competition for the UFC prize pack saw a great response from readers. The winne
BY the end of most boxers’ careers, the only triumphs they can claim from their brutal careers have been left in the ring.
Haunted by a life of cocaine addiction, alcoholism, depression and constant run-ins with the cops, American Johnny Tapia was one of those men.
His life resembled one of his bouts – brutal hits received and delivered, tenacity when pressed against the ropes, with the taste of victory almost a fleeting consolation for the battering taken – and everything done at frantic pace.
Tapia, a five-times boxing champion, was found dead at his house in Albuquerque, New Mexico, aged 45. While an autopsy is in progress, police say the death does not appear to be suspicious.
Tapia won five championships in three weight classes during his career: the WBO and IBF superflyweight titles, the WBA and WBO bantamweight titles and the IBF featherweight belt.
Renowned as a never-say-die underdog, Tapia was a cult figure among boxing fans.
His style was pulsating to watch. He was equipped with a heavy battery of punches, quick reflexes, and, unsurprisingly, an ability to take serious damage and keep going.
Yet despite his obvious talent, Tapia’s Spanish ring name summed it all up: ‘‘Mi Vida Loca’’ – My Crazy Life.
‘‘Anything I do, I’m a professional at it – alcoholic, doper, addict, whatever you want to call it,’’ he once said.
Tragedy struck early. His mother was dragged away before his eyes, stabbed 26 times with a screwdriver and left to die when he was only eight years old.
As a kid, cruel relatives would pit him against other youngsters in crude backyard boxing competitions.
The better he got, the bigger the kids he fought – against the odds from day one.
Tapia made his pro debut in 1988, and featured in some famed bouts in his 23-year career in the ring, most notably his victory over Henry Martinez to win the WBO super-flyweight title in 1994.
His ongoing rivalry with fellow New Mexican and former world champion Danny Romero provided more memorable moments.
Outside the ring, Tapia fought constant battles with drugs and alcohol – battles he usually lost.
He was barred from boxing for three years in the early 90s due to cocaine addiction and nearly died of an overdose in 2007.
‘‘Drug addiction is strong; and kids are trying it now. And with me being an alcoholic, it’s the same thing, brother,’’ he once said. ‘‘I don’t want to be a hypocrite because I have problems of myown today. But I fight through it. Day by day.
‘‘Don’t think of tomorrow because it never comes. Yesterday’s gone. Live for today. Things will get better.’’
Despite all he lost in life, Tapia held on to a great romance with his wife Theresa. Though he once pulled a gun on her, he often referred to her as his salvation.
Tapia’s final ring entrance came last year, when he climbed between the ropes to beat Mauricio Pastrana over eight rounds.
But while his stats show that bout closing out a 59-5-2 career, his last big fight really ended last week.
It was closely fought, with Tapia showing plenty of courage, but anyone watching it play out would have known the likely result.
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