John Lee Tapia (born [[1967-02-13]in Albuquerque, NM) is a five-time world boxing champion. He is nicknamed "Mi Vida Loca". The Rio Grande flowing past Albuquerque Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. ... For other senses of these words, see boxing (disambiguation) or boxer (disambiguation). ... EXAMPLE:Laughbox,Blondie,BamBam,Pinkie,etc. ...

Amateur career

Tapia had an outstanding amateur career, and was the 1983 National Golden Gloves Light flyweight champion and the 1985 National Golden Gloves Flyweight champion. Golden Gloves The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States. ...

Professional career

His professional career began on March 25, 1988, when he beat Efren Chavez by a knockout in round four in Irvine, California. 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. is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... A boxer is knocked down and receives the 10-count. ... Motto: Innovation. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... John Michael Johnson (born June 3, 1968 in San Antonio, Texas, USA) was an American Bantamweight boxer. ...

In 1990, he kept his winning ways, winning seven more bouts, including an eight round decision over Jesus Chong, an 11th round technical knockout of Roland Gomez in Reno that gave him the United States Junior Bantamweight title, and a twelve round decision over Luigi Camputaro, to retain that title. Tapia was, by the end of the year, becoming a known boxer, his name often appearing on magazine articles. He also has a nephew currently going to school named Michael Tapia attending Justin-Siena High School. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Reno redirects here. ...

But his career took an enormous step backwards when he was found with drugs, and this time he was suspended from boxing for three years. He had to start over from scratch when he was finally able to return in 1994. Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ...

When he was finally back in the ring, he beat Jaime Olvera by a knockout in four rounds at Tulsa, Oklahoma. He won three more fights by knockout, and then he faced Oscar Aguilar at the Michael Carbajal-Josue Camacho undercard in Phoenix for the NABF Jr. Bantamweight title. He won that fight by a knockout in the third round. After that fight, Albuquerque Police claimed they found cocaine in a bag carried by Johnny five days later. Johnny claimed what the police found was only a soap bar, and then charges were eventually dropped. He defended the title twice before the year was over, with an eleventh round knockout of Henry Martinez and a second round knockout of Rolando Bohol. Nickname: Location in the state of Oklahoma Coordinates: , Country State Counties Tulsa, Osage, Rogers Government  - Mayor Kathy Taylor (D) Area  - City 186. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Henry Donald Martinez (born January 20, 1971 in San Salvador) is a retired bantamweight boxer from El Salvador, who represented his native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. ... Rolando Bohol is a former Filipino boxer who held the International Boxing Federation flyweight championship in 1988. ...

Winning and defending the WBO Title

On February 18, 1995, Tapia was given a shot at WBO World Junior Bantamweight champion Jose Rafael Sosa. Tapia became a world champion in his own hometown by defeating Sosa on a twelve round decision. is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is one of the sanctioning organizations currently recognizing world boxing champions. ...

He retained the title with an eight round technical draw with Ricardo Vargas and a decision in twelve against former amateur nemesis Arthur Johnson. After two more wins, he gave Willy Salazar a title shot, knocking him out in nine rounds. Arthur V. Johnson (February 2, 1876 - January 17, 1916) was a pioneer actor and director of American silent films. ...

Heated Rivalry with Romero

In 1996, he fought seven more times, keeping his undefeated record and defending the title six times during that time. By then, a heated rivalty was cooking up between him and cross-town rival, IBF world champion Danny Romero. Their rivalry had begun many years earlier when Danny's father trained both boxers. Tapia's split with the Romeros had not been on good terms. It was also rumored that Tapia and Romero were allegedly members of rival gangs (they both claim to have abandoned gang life and Romero is now a color commentator for Showtime). Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... IBF redirects here. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... This article is about the pay TV channel. ...

1997 saw Tapia fend off a challenge from Marco Antonio Barrera's brother Jorge Barrera, in three rounds. After that, the fight with Romero was set for Las Vegas. The fight took place on July 18, but the only gang related trouble was when a Southwest Airlines plane, carrying as passengers two members of the gangs the boxers were related to, reported an attempt to fight by those passengers. However riot police in Albuquerque were on alert the whole fight weekend. Tapia won by a unanimous twelve round decision, to add the IBF world title to his own WBO belt. In his next fight, he defended the belts in Florida against Puerto Rico's Andy Agosto, also by decision in twelve. For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia (born January 17, 1974 in Mexico City) is a Mexican professional boxer. ... For further information, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the American airline. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ...

Two Memorable Fights with Paulie Ayala

Tapia began 1998 by defending his crown against former world champion Rodolfo Blanco of Colombia by a twelve round decision, and then he vacated his World Junior Bantamweight crown, going up in weight to win the WBA World Bantamweight title. He beat defending world champion Nana Konadu by a twelve round decision to become a two division world champion. Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... World Boxing Association (WBA) is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level. ... Nana Yaw Konadu Yeboah (born February 15, 1964 in Sunyani, Ghana) is a retired boxer who won World titles in two different weight divisions. ...

In 1999, Tapia suffered his first loss, losing a twelve round decision and the WBA world title belt to Paulie Ayala in what Ring Magazine called its "fight of the year." That year also, he tried to commit suicide with a drug overdose, and required hospitalization. Back quickly after that and his first defeat, he was given a chance at the WBO world title belt, and he became a two time World Bantamweight champion by beating Jorge Eliecer Julio by a decision in twelve at Albuquerque on January 8, 2000. After defending his belt with a twelve round decision over Javier Torres, a rematch to unify the belt between Ayala and him was set up. In what became another candidate for "fight of the year," Ayala edged out another close, split decision win. Tapia then went back home to prepare for his upcoming bouts in 2001, when he went up in weight and beat Famosito Gomez by a knockout in six, and former World Featherweight champion Cesar Soto by a knockout in three. This article is about the year. ... Paulie Ayala (born April 22, 1970) is a Mexican-American former boxer who is a two time world champion. ... Front cover of the first issue of Ring Magazine Ring Magazine is a boxing magazine that was first published in 1922. ... Jorge Eliécer Julio Rocha (born April 4, 1969 in El Reten, Magdalena) was a Colombian boxer. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Cesar Soto (born September 17, 1971) was a Mexican boxer. ...

Winning & Dropping the IBF Title

In 2002, Tapia travelled to London, England, for his first professional fight abroad. There, he knocked out Eduardo Enrique Alvarez in the first round, and after the bout, he was interviewed by, of all people, his former rival Danny Romero. Tapia's next bout was for the IBF world Featherweight title, versus champion Manuel Medina. Tapia won a close 12 round decision, joining that exclusive group of boxers who have won world titles in three different divisions. He left the title vacant so he could face Marco Antonio Barrera, who was able to avenge his brother Jorge's earlier defeat at the hands of Tapia by beating Tapia in twelve rounds. Also see: 2002 (number). ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Juan Manuel Rubio Medina (born March 30, 1971 in Tecuala, Nayarit, Mexico) is a boxer, who is better known as Manuel Medina. ...

Comeback after Barrera Loss

Tapia came back on the night of October 4, 2003, defeating Carlos Contreras by ten round unanimous decision at Albuquerque. is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Contreras (right) chatting with former teammate Mike Cope. ...

Tapia has had many tattoos done around his body, and his tattoos are prominent when he is fighting. One of them says Mi Vida Loca ("My Crazy Life"), the nickname he has adopted over the last few years. He wrote an autobiography by that title.

He is now a born-again Christian and currently holds a record of 55 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws, with 28 wins by knockout. For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ...

Personal Problems & First Knockout Loss

Tapia was arrested in Bullhead City, Arizona the night of January 10, 2003 for resisting arrest along with his cousin, who was wanted on charges in New Mexico. He was not sent to jail immediately, but now he faces new charges for resisting arrest. After his arrest, he returned home to Las Vegas, and there, he slipped onto the floor, crashing his head against the concrete and having to be hospitalized in critical condition. He recuperated and was later released. Bullhead City is a city located on the Colorado River in Mohave County, Arizona, USA, roughly 100 miles (160. ... is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Capital Santa Fe Largest city Albuquerque Largest metro area Albuquerque metropolitan area Area  Ranked 5th  - Total 121,665 sq mi (315,194 km²)  - Width 342 miles (550 km)  - Length 370 miles (595 km)  - % water 0. ...

On December 21 of that year, Tapia mistakenly took medication containing codeine, to which he is allergic, and was briefly hospitalized. is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Codeine (INN) or methylmorphine is an opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive and antidiarrheal properties. ...

On April 15, 2005, he sustained an injury to his left eye but was able to continue and win a repeat match-up with Frankie Archuleta. That win came by ten round split decision in Albuquerque. is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

At 38 years-old, Johnny Tapia faced the little known Mexican, Sandro Marcos, in Chicago. In the second round, Marcos connected with a left-hook to the body. Tapia fell to the canvas, clutching his ribcage, as referee Genaro Rodriguez reached the count of 10. ([Source: http://www.15rounds.com])

Farewell fight and ongoing problems

On January 17, 2007 Tapia held a press conference stating that he will face Ilido Julio on February 23 in his home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, then retire. The bout was being promoted as The Final Fury and Tapia promised he would win. [1] Tapia won the fight by majority decision, 98-92, 96-94, 95-95. [2] is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... “Albuquerque” redirects here. ...

One month after retiring, Tapia's son Johnny Tapia II will make his amateur boxing debut in March 2007. [3] March 2007 is the third month of the year. ...

Tapia was found unconscious and not breathing in a hotel room early on the morning of March 12, 2007. Tapia was hospitalized in critical condition from an apparent cocaine overdose at Albuquerque Presbyterian Hospital. [4] is the 71st day of the year (72nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

The next day, on the morning of March 13, Tapia's brother-in-law and nephew were killed in an automobile accident on U.S. Highway 550 near Bloomfield, NM, apparently en route to the hospital to visit Tapia. That same day, Tapia was upgraded from critical to serious condition. [5] is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Bloomfield (Navajo: Naabiʼáání) is a city in San Juan County, New Mexico, United States. ...

See also

• Michael Gomez

Michael Gomez (born as Michael Armstrong, 21 June 1977, County Longford, Ireland), known as The Predator, was a professional boxer who grew up in an Irish traveller family in Collyhurst, Manchester. ...

Titles

Johnny Bredahl (also known as Johny Wahid Johansen) (born Johnny Bredahl Johansen on 27 August 1968 in Copenhagen, Denmark) is a professional boxer in the bantamweight (118 lb) division. ... This is a chronological List of World Super Flyweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations: The World Boxing Association (WBA), founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA), The World Boxing Council (WBC), founded in 1963, The International Boxing Federation (IBF), founded in... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... This is a chronological List of World Super Flyweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations: The World Boxing Association (WBA), founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA), The World Boxing Council (WBC), founded in 1963, The International Boxing Federation (IBF), founded in... Mark Johnson may refer to: Mark Johnson (professor), philosophy professor Mark Johnson (footballer) (born 1978), Australian rules footballer Mark Johnson (film producer) Mark Johnson (umpire), baseball umpire Mark Johnson (hockey player) (born 1957) Mark Johnson (rugby) Mark Johnson (baseball analyst) Mark Johnson (musician) Mark Johnson (football club director), director of... Nana Yaw Konadu Yeboah (born February 15, 1964 in Sunyani, Ghana) is a retired boxer who won World titles in two different weight divisions. ... This is a chronological List of World Bantamweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations: The World Boxing Association (WBA), founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA), The World Boxing Council (WBC), founded in 1963, The International Boxing Federation (IBF), founded in 1983... Paulie Ayala (born April 22, 1970) is a Mexican-American former boxer who is a two time world champion. ... Jorge Eliécer Julio Rocha (born April 4, 1969 in El Reten, Magdalena) was a Colombian boxer. ... This is a chronological List of World Bantamweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations: The World Boxing Association (WBA), founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA), The World Boxing Council (WBC), founded in 1963, The International Boxing Federation (IBF), founded in 1983... Juan Manuel Rubio Medina (born March 30, 1971 in Tecuala, Nayarit, Mexico) is a boxer, who is better known as Manuel Medina. ... IBF redirects here. ... This is a chronological List of World Featherweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations: The World Boxing Association (WBA), founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA), The World Boxing Council (WBC), founded in 1963, The International Boxing Federation (IBF), founded in 1983... Juan Manuel Marquez is a former boxing featherwright champion. ...

External links

• Professional boxing record for Johnny Tapia from Boxrec