RIP Johnny Tapia

Former five-time world champion Johnny Tapia was found dead in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Sunday.

Tapia who was one of the most charismatic fighters for much of the 1990’s and 2000’s was forty-five years old.

Besides his ring excellence, Tapia had a myriad of problems outside the ring which included many bouts with drugs.

Tapia won his first title in 1994 when he won the WBO Super Flyweight title with an eleventh round stoppage of Henry Martinez. He defended the title times for capturing the IBF belt when he defeated his cross town rival Danny Romero in 1997. Tapia defended those two belts two more times before moving up to Bantamweight and winning the WBA belt in 1998.

Tapia fought memorable fights with Paulie Ayala and Marco Antonio Barrera before retiring in 2011.

15rounds.com spoke to Tapia in November where he told us that he was training fighters and working for Showtime.