Boxing

 

Interview With Five-Time World Champion and Reigning IBF Featherweight Champion Of The World Johnny "Mi Vida Loca" Tapia


photo: johnnytapia.com

By Chris Curry

02.08 - Johnny Tapia is one of the most colourful and exciting fighters in the world today. Like everyone, Johnny has a story to tell. His "Mi Vida Loca". Crazy life. From the moment Johnny Tapia was born on February 13th 1967 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, life set him tasks that many of us would never experience. Throughout his life Johnny Tapia has fought battles both in and out of the ring, emerging victorious. This has formed the make-up of a true "People's Champion". By using his experience's, Johnny tries to help other's who may be following in the footsteps of his past. He is a living testimony of how a troubled life can be changed for the better.

In the ring, Johnny Tapia is a class act. A determined Champion of three weight division's, Tapia has an excellent all action attacking style. Great movement, complete with a Tapia trade mark victory back-flip. Johnny loves to fight and the crowd love getting behind him when he cheers them on.
In 1997 Johnny unified the WBO and IBF Junior Bantamweight World Championships in an electric atmosphere against his arch rival Danny Romero. This is one of Johnny's most famous victories.
In 1999 in defence of his WBA Bantamweight World Championship, Tapia stood toe to toe with Paulie Ayala in what was to be "Fight of the Year 1999". This fight was a real treat to Boxing fans, a thriller. Johnny undeservingly came out on the wrong end of the decision, but this fight is one of my personal favourite's and will be remembered for years to come as one of the great fights of the 1990's.

Johnny's "Crazy Life" rollercoasters on. After a move into the Featherweight division, Tapia became the first man to stop former WBC Featherweight Champion, Cesar Soto. Soto was left reeling after a vicious body attack in round three. Following a demolition job of Eduardo Alvarez in the first round, Johnny became a Five-Time Champion of the World with his victory over Manuel Medina at Madison Square Gardens, New York. So his story continues.

Here is what the IBF Featherweight Champion of the World, Johnny Tapia had to say about his excellent career, about boxing and his life so far.

Johnny, Would you describe how you got into Boxing and what do you remember most about your amateur days?

My Grandfather got me started in boxing because I was always fighting in the streets. As for my amateur career, it was very satisfying I won a lot of titles. The only regret I have is not going to the Olympics.

After personal battles that had you out of your beloved sport for four years, you won the first of five World Championship on December 10th 1994 against Henry Martinez. Would you tell us about the moment you were crowned WBO Junior Bantamweight Champion of the World?

It was the proudest moment in my life and definitely the biggest boost of my career at that time.

After ten successful defences of your WBO crown you met arch rival and IBF Junior Bantamweight Champion of the World, Danny Romero who was also from your hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. In a battle of Champions and a classic showdown in July 1997 you earned one of the greatest wins of you career. How did it feel then, beating your biggest rival and becoming a two time Junior Bantamweight World Champion and Champion of Albuquerque, New Mexico?

Beating Danny was the most important thing that happened in my career, that is why I am successful today. But it was a bittersweet victory because we no longer had a relationship.

Can you describe how your rivalry with Danny Romero turned into a solid friendship today and have you talked about your classic encounter together?

I called Danny when I found out he was having a rough time, and he and I became close just like we were in the amateur days, and his Dad trained me. Enough time has passed for both of us to heal and put all the bad behind us.

After two defences of your unified WBO and IBF World Titles you moved up in weight, challenged and beat the hard hitting WBA Bantamweight World Champion, Nana Konadu. In the first defence of your WBA Bantamweight Crown you had the “Fight Of The Year 1999” with Paulie Ayala. Did you become disillusioned with the sport after Ayala got a controversial decision and what way did you feel when the announcement was made?

After the first Paulie fight, I wanted to prove myself by having a rematch, and yes I was definitely somewhat disgusted with the sport of boxing.

After the first Paulie Ayala fight, you beat Jorge Eliecer Julio with excellence to win your fourth World Title, the WBO Bantamweight World Championship. After a first defence you met Paulie Ayala again in Las Vegas just below the Featherweight limit. After another controversial decision to Paulie, did this drive you on to achieve even more and what did you think when a similar decision went against “Bones” Adams with Paulie?

After the second Paulie fight I was very upset with boxing. It made me sad to think that no matter how good you are in the ring, all fighters are at the mercy of the people like Arum who have the power out of the ring. It has definitely driven me to accomplish more, I am proud to now be a five-time World Champion. I don't know if I would have pushed this hard if the circumstances would have been different. I felt sad and sort of a kinship Bones Adams after his first fight with Paulie Ayala, but the person I felt most sorry for was the fighter that Paulie fought from Mexico (Dianzo) he was totally ripped off, not only did he drop Paulie he beat his butt for 12 rounds and was totally ripped off. I feel sorry for people like Dianzo who unfortunately will not get another big fight or payday.

Johnny, in January of this year you made your British debut in London England. We all enjoyed watching you fight in the United Kingdom, when you blew Eduardo Alvarez away with brilliant body attacks in round one. You attracted British fight fans who never had the chance to see Johnny “Mi Vida Loca” Tapia in action. What was it like for you fighting in the UK, you really seemed to be enjoying yourself?

I loved fighting in the UK. I learned that there are no bigger boxing fans in the world, like in the UK. I would definitely like to fight there against Naseem or anyone else.

After a place to fight on the Prince Naseem Hamed comeback card and a return to the UK fell through, due to Naz getting a back injury, you landed a shot for that fifth World Championship you craved. You fought Manuel Medina at Madison Square Gardens, New York and it was also your debut at the Garden. Can you describe your fight with Medina for the IBF Featherweight World Championship and on winning your fifth World Title, making you a three weight World Champion.

Becoming a five-time World Champion was unbelievable: it is definitely the best high in the world. It has surpassed any previous dreams I had for my career.

In your life Johnny, you have had so many tragic experiences, many of us could never even dream of. Did you have any influences or idols to help you get through it all?

Unfortunately I did have a very tragic life, I have tried to learn from my past and I try to help other people with the same kind of problems. As for giving someone credit for helping me, it would be my wife and family and definitely God.

Which fighters do you respect most past or present?

I respect all fighters, it takes guts to get in the ring. But my favourite fighters are: Arturo Gatti, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sugar Ray Leonard and Marco Antonio Barrera.

What is your personal favourite fight of your own career and do you have a favourite fight of all time in Boxing?

My favourite fight of my career was against Paulie Ayala, the first fight. I liked the fact that we stood toe to toe in the middle of the ring, that's my favourite thing to do. My all time favourite fight was Gatti Vs Ward.

There is a lot of anticipation in a fight between you and Prince Naseem Hamed. What would it mean to you for the Prince to be challenging you for the IBF Featherweight World Championship?

I wanted to fight the Prince badly, but he has refused to fight me. I will look for other opportunities in the featherweight class.

When I became a fan of yourself through Boxing I discovered you had a “Vida Loca” (Crazy life) now you say your life is “Mi Vida Nueva” (My new Life). What is the new life of Johnny Tapia like?

My new life is still crazy so I don't know if I will ever get away from my crazy life, I guess you could call it my "New Crazy Life".

Can you tell us how you help others not to follow in the footsteps of your past and can you explain the aim of the Virginia Tapia Foundation?

I try to talk a lot to the youth of today about their choices. I try to impress upon them that their future is nothing to mess with. As far as the foundation I want to be able to help everyone who needs it.

Johnny, what would you like to say to the fight fans on Eastsideboxing.com?
I would like to tell my fight fans to keep me in prayer and keep watching.

Johnny, Thank you very much for your time and it is a personal honour and pleasure, as a big fan of yourself for you giving me the chance for this interview. I would like to congratulate you on all of your achievements in Boxing and on winning five World Championships in three weights. I would also like to thank Johnny’s Executive Assistants, Rhonda Fong and MaryLee Daguman for all their help and Teresa Tapia, Johnny's wife and manger. I wish Johnny and his family all the very best for the future and the very best as reigning IBF Featherweight Champion of the World.

"Thank you Chris, for being interested in my accomplishments. God bless you".

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