Johnny Tapia returns to the ring on March 5

16.01.04 – On March 5, 2004 history will be made, as the first major bout will take place in Las Vegas, New Mexico since July 4, 1912 when Heavyweight Champ of the World Jack Johnson defeated Jim Flynn in ten rounds. Five time world champion Johnny Tapia 53-3-2 28 Ko’s will face off in the squared circle against contender and former WBB and NABA Champion Frankie Archuleta 22-4-1 13 Ko’s in a ten round Featherweight attraction televised live worldwide by Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo”. Fresquez Productions Inc., Don Chargin Productions and Guy Riordan Boxing llc will promote the bout.

After taking nearly a year off Tapia returned to ring in September of 2003 to outpoint gritty contender Carlos Contreras in a ten round decision. At 36 Tapia is still dominating the press with a recent story in Playboy, which has a circulation of more 3 million, as well as the local press with his “Mi Vida Loca”. The goal for Team Tapia in 2004 is to get the future hall of famer his 6th World Crown before the year is up.

Archuleta, who has been out of the ring since May 2003 will have a tough comeback fight, but says “this is a dream come true to fight Tapia, he has been an inspiration to me and now I get to fight him in my hometown.” In Archuleta’s last four bouts he has faced top opposition and been on major television networks such as Showtime, NBC National Television, Telefutura, Sunshine Network, and MSG. Archuleta hasn’t received the kind of press that Tapia has as a pro in Albuquerque, but in his hometown of Las Vegas, NM he has and he is like the Tapia in Northern New Mexico. The last big fight Frankie had in his hometown was when he fought to a 12 round draw with top ten contender Lewis Wood for the NABF title before a crowd of nearly 3000 screaming fans. This will be Archuleta’s biggest challenge in his career and he says he’ll be in the best shape of his career come March 5.

An exciting 5 bout undercard will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

Bouts will take place at New Mexico Highlands University, Wilson Complex.
Tickets start at $20 up to $150 and go on sale today at all Ticketmaster locations.