Once I heard the result that took place, I feared any chance Johnny had at getting back to the world seen is over. Despite fight reports saying the contest was desperately close, he couldn't afford to lose to essentially a decent, but limited, comeback opponent.
However, Tapia didn't need to make any excuses for his defeat - him spewing up at the post fight press coference was enough evidence to say the his flu wasn't some excuse.
Don't write off Tapia yet.
You can never write a guy like Tapia off but one must wonder how long in the sport he has left, he was getting outboxed in a bout not so long back against Cesar Soto before a couple of well placed bodyshots stopped Soto in his tracks. Tapia's career at top level probably ceased when he lost in that payday against Barrera but he is always a crowd pleaser and his popularity over here could make him a favoured foe for Harrison or the likes maybe two or three fights down the line?