National Conference Call Transcript: Johnny Tapia

24.10 - They may be light as feathers, but there is nothing lightweight about the highly anticipated 12-round bout between two of boxing’s biggest little men, five-time world champion Johnny Tapia and four-time world champion Marco Antonio Barrera. The two boxing greats will collide in “La Batalla De Los Guerrero” (“The Battle Of The Warriors”) on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino - The City of Entertainment, in Las Vegas.

Question: Johnny, how is training?

Tapia: I have been here (Big Bear, Calif.) for four weeks. Training is going well. I have my discipline, my desire and my dedication back. I am fighting the “king of the featherweights,” Marco Antonio Barrera and I am ready.

Question: Was it hard to give up the International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt?

Tapia: They (the IBF) took it away from me. I had no choice. Every fighter in the world always looks forward to getting a belt. I won the belt by working hard and fighting hard. Then, the next day, they took it away from me.

Question: Do you think too much emphasis is placed on a winning a belt? Do you think a belt means anything now?

Tapia: If you get into boxing right now, the first thing you want is a belt. Yes, they mean something, but the belt does not make me, I made myself. It is just another stepping-stone to bigger and better things. I am making more money now without the belt than I did with the belt.

Question: Is fighting Barrera more important to you than fighting for a belt?

Tapia: Just fighting the “king of the featherweights” is such a big honor for me. To tell you the truth, all my focus is on Marco. There is nothing else on my mind. I am fighting the best out there and I want to look good.

Question: Did you get stale from the (Manuel) Medina fight?

Tapia: There were a lot of things that happened to me, but I am not the type to complain. It was basically a draw until the ninth round came, and they told me to step it up. I have never fought that caliber of fighter who sticks and moves and runs all night. With him being 5’ 11” and having such a long reach, it was hard to get to him.

Question: Is Barrera’s style much easier for you?

Tapia: Of course Barrera’s style is much easier for me. You know, Barrera is making plans and we are making plans, but we will just end up getting it on. The heck with it.

Question: What has it been like working with Freddy Roach again?

Tapia: It has been beautiful. My trainer just got inducted into the Hall of Fame as a trainer, and that is a beautiful thing. I have had two world title fights with Freddy and won two titles with him. Just to be back with him is a real glory.

Question: There seems to be an unusual amount of respect between you two guys. Can you talk about that?

Tapia: I am a lot older than him (Barrera), and am a lot older than a lot of fighters. I just have so much respect for him. I am fighting the “king of the featherweights” and a great champion and a great person. We do not need to talk shit to build this fight up. Everybody already knows us.

Question: There have been times when your opponent disrespected you and you used it to “get up” for the fight. Do you need that for this fight?

Tapia: Just hearing the words “Marco Antonio Barrera” you will get up for the fight. He is a tough cookie. He is strong. It does not take much to get ready for this fight. He knows how to cut the ring and he knows how to slug. He can change his technique any time. He is the type of guy who will do whatever it takes to win. He will be in my face and I will be in his too.

Question: Do you expect this fight to go the distance?

Tapia: Oh yes. I really do expect the fight to go the distance. I am not going anywhere. They think he is a lot stronger because he is heavier and bigger, but they are going to be surprised.

Question: Barrera has fought with two different styles – one more brawling and one more astute and technical. If you had your choice, which Barrera would you want to fight and why?

Tapia: If I had my choice, I would rather fight the good boxer and good slugger. I would like to just get it on. He can change his style at any given time, but so can I. You have two experienced fighters with a lot of fight experience who know what it takes to win. He is going to bring the best out of me, and I am going to bring the best out of him.

Question: Do you sense that this is your last run or your last shot?

Tapia: I have already made my mark in this game. I do not need to do anything else. I am okay financially. I have a beautiful wife that loves me through thick and thin. To take on a name like this, I do not see a bigger name out there right now than Marco Antonio Barrera. They call him the “king of the featherweights,” so we will fight and see what happens.

Question: Do you feel the same as you did 10 years ago?

Tapia: I love this game. I enjoy it. I never really lost. I only lost to a promoter and not a fighter. But boxing has been so beautiful to me. I have done everything there is to do in boxing. I do not want anybody to take me out. I want to be smart enough to make my money and retire and have enough income for the rest of my life.

Question: How do you feel about the financial payout for this fight?

Tapia: I have made good money in this game. For my weight, people do not even come close, not even people who weigh 140 or 150 pounds. I have done well in the boxing game. To make an even bigger payday is a blessing. I should have been making this money a long time ago, but this is another chance to prove myself.

Question: Do you still feel your biggest asset is the combination of your speed and brains?

Tapia: Yes, but there is another part of Johnny Tapia that has to do with “guts.” I have been working hard on a game plan, but, once he hits me, it will be on. I have watched Barrera fight for years and years, and I know he has watched me. He can stick with a game plan. I am known to lose it and go for it, but I can stick with a game plan too.

Question: What specifically makes you feel reinvigorated?

Tapia: I am comfortable with myself. I have done everything in this boxing game that you can do. I became a five-time world champion. How many people can say that? I am blessed.

Question: Do you hope that Prince Naseem Hamed can get his act together and you guys can fight?

Tapia: You know, Hamed does not mean anything to me. That is a business question. He already has a lot of money, so he does not have to worry about anything.

Question: Are you thinking of some of the things you will do when boxing is over?

Tapia: Yes, I am thinking of what I will do after boxing. I am going to be a businessman, and a singer. My wife can manage and we have a promoter. I have a lot of knowledge in this game. Not too many people know that I have been boxing for 26 years. I am not a teacher, but in the boxing game I am who I am. Love me or hate me, I am able to give knowledge to little kids, and to professional fighters.

Question: Is there any chance you might fight Paul Ayala for a third time?

Tapia: I do not see why we (he and Ayala) would not fight. I will fight anybody. But, right now, I am focusing on Barrera.

Question: How did you and Barrera become friends?

Tapia: Barrera and I have been around the game for a long time. He knows me and I know him. He has fought on my undercards, and I have fought on his. You have to give him nothing but respect. I respect all fighters.

Question: Why did you choose to train in Big Bear?

Tapia: Big Beat is quiet and peaceful in the mountains. I try to get to the top, but Jesus kicks me down to reality.

Question: What did you think of Barrera’s second performance against Erik Morales?

Tapia: Barrera did not get hit as much. He got pressured, and when his back was up against the wall, he went for it. There are not too many fighters who can switch it in boxing. I do not know what he is going to bring to the table against me, but I am not going to be hard to look for. If the crowd gets in the way and starts yelling, then me and Barrera are going to end up in the hospital eating ice cream.

Question: When the bell rings, what do you expect?

Tapia: Everybody knows what Barrera is doing now. Big Bear is a small town. Everybody has been telling me what he is doing. He is working on speed now. It does not matter what he is doing. He is fighting me and I am fighting him. We will see what happens in the ring. I do not know if he is going to come at me or box me.

Question: When was the first time you met him?

Tapia: I met Barrera back in 1988 or ‘89. He has been in a lot of wars and he is a warrior. I like the guy so much, that every time I know he is fighting, I watch him. I like the way he fights. He brings a lot to the table.

Question: You have only been the underdog a couple of times in your career, and now you are a big underdog against Barrera. Does that add to your motivation?

Tapia: If I were a bookie, I would put all the money on me. You would win a lot of money. But, if I were the odds maker, I would make it 99-1. But you know what? You will have to kill me in the ring to beat me. I am willing to do whatever it takes. I am willing to get cut, I am willing to get black eyes, broken noses, broken ribs, whatever he wants to do to me, I will still be there. I know I can go to the hospital and get fixed up.

Question: Has there ever been a fight where you approached it similar to how you are approaching this fight?

Tapia: There has never been a similar fight because I am willing to die in there. I am willing to get cut and to bleed from Barrera. I am willing to do anything to beat him.

Question: Why do you think Barrera is such a big favorite?

Tapia: I think Barrera is such a big favorite because he is the “king of the featherweights.” They think that because I have a smaller frame that he is going to come and knock me out. I get hit for a living. Doesn’t anyone see me spar? It does not matter what it takes because I am going to be there. They say he is bigger than me and hits harder. He does. Is Barrera willing to get hurt, to get cut and bleed to win the fight? Is he willing to die for it? I am.