I was a fairly new boxing fan when I saw Johnny Tapia fight but if it weren't for him I don't know if I would have loved this sport as much as I do today. His life story and the way he fought made him an interesting person. How will he be remembered based on his accomplishments in the ring? Is he a "what could have been" fighter who got messed up on drugs or did he accomplish enough in the ring to secure his place in Canastota?
Is there a knock against him because he ducked Mark "too sharp" Johnson when he was in his prime? and how significant were his losses to Paulie Ayala and Barrera and how significant was his victory against Danny Romero?
How will Johnny Tapia be remembered?
Tapia always came to fight - And he had a ton of talent - Which he didn't take full advantage of during a segment of his career -
His win over Romero was clearly a big win - Romero was in his prime and it was a huge grudge match - Tapia clearly beat him and roughed him up in the process - He also had a solid win (albeit over an aged Nana Konadu at BW)
He was a top tier fighter during his prime.....but a notch below some of the other guys at JBW - K. Galaxy, Too Sharp, Sung Kil Moon, (come to mind).
But also good to watch -
His win over Romero was clearly a big win - Romero was in his prime and it was a huge grudge match - Tapia clearly beat him and roughed him up in the process - He also had a solid win (albeit over an aged Nana Konadu at BW)
He was a top tier fighter during his prime.....but a notch below some of the other guys at JBW - K. Galaxy, Too Sharp, Sung Kil Moon, (come to mind).
But also good to watch -
I thought he was pretty well advertized...Still have the copy of Ring where he and Roy Jones and Naseem and a couple of other champions with perfect records were shown with the Caption...
Who will be the first to fall?
I thought Tapia was the real deal with excellent defensive skills, The Romero fight was huge partly because it was a hometown rivalry and at that time Romero was getting advertized as the undefeated "pound for pound hardest hitter in boxing". Not sure he deserved it though. So a lot of people were impressed when he disassembled Danny. He also was known for his tatoo that said "Mi Vida Loca" or "My Crazy Life" in spanish.
I'm thinking Decagon may be kidding but if not it's good to see some lapses on his radar screen......proves to me he's no internet robot. However his mention of Barerra tells me he is using humor to point out that he believes Tapia will be remembered as little more than a loss on Antonio's record.
When I said Hometown I beleive the "Hometown" was albuquerqe New Mexico which was easy driving distance to Las Vegas and a WHOLE LOTTA partial fans showed up. Making for a very lively crowd. He went on to lose two very close fights to Paulie Ayala when he moved up in weight. I think that stemmed his momentum but he was always competitive.
He remained undefeated as the reigning WBO and IBF Superflyweight Champion and was easily the best in that division at the time. He is future hall of fame material based on his performance in that weight division. I don't think it can be said that he "avoided" anyone. There were weight considerations as well as money negotiations which could be laid at either Tapia's or Johnson's Management but not the fighters. IMHO
Who will be the first to fall?
I thought Tapia was the real deal with excellent defensive skills, The Romero fight was huge partly because it was a hometown rivalry and at that time Romero was getting advertized as the undefeated "pound for pound hardest hitter in boxing". Not sure he deserved it though. So a lot of people were impressed when he disassembled Danny. He also was known for his tatoo that said "Mi Vida Loca" or "My Crazy Life" in spanish.
I'm thinking Decagon may be kidding but if not it's good to see some lapses on his radar screen......proves to me he's no internet robot. However his mention of Barerra tells me he is using humor to point out that he believes Tapia will be remembered as little more than a loss on Antonio's record.
When I said Hometown I beleive the "Hometown" was albuquerqe New Mexico which was easy driving distance to Las Vegas and a WHOLE LOTTA partial fans showed up. Making for a very lively crowd. He went on to lose two very close fights to Paulie Ayala when he moved up in weight. I think that stemmed his momentum but he was always competitive.
He remained undefeated as the reigning WBO and IBF Superflyweight Champion and was easily the best in that division at the time. He is future hall of fame material based on his performance in that weight division. I don't think it can be said that he "avoided" anyone. There were weight considerations as well as money negotiations which could be laid at either Tapia's or Johnson's Management but not the fighters. IMHO
..damn...buzzy beat me to it....i knew decagon was putting us on.
how will he be remembered....he was a good fighter an entertaining one....the two qualities don't always go together......but ...honestly, i do think that if his name comes up in a decade....most will say "who" and NOT be putting us on.
how will he be remembered....he was a good fighter an entertaining one....the two qualities don't always go together......but ...honestly, i do think that if his name comes up in a decade....most will say "who" and NOT be putting us on.
Decagon: RE the WBO thing: I might be the only one to remember it, but Tapia looked fuckin' A against Nana Yaw Konadu for the WBA 118lbs title. Konadu was also a vet but a very hard hitter & quality fighter who'd just had a second war with Daorung Chor Sirowat (excuse the spelling).
Although he got sat on his arse for the first (only?) time in his career, Tapia looked very slick that night...
Although he got sat on his arse for the first (only?) time in his career, Tapia looked very slick that night...
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ringsider
- Heavyweight
Decagon wrote:Tapia looked like a completely different fighter in that fight. It looked like he was at the peak of his career. One of the judges scored it a draw, but it was closer to a shutout; that "knockdown" was bullshit. I've never seen his second pro fight, but his opponent was credited with knocking him down. Then he got another bad break, against Ayala, and another. Then, all-of-a-sudden, he found himself a 30-something flyweight at featherweight. Then he was the one getting the bullshit decision, against Medina.Nels wrote:Decagon: RE the WBO thing: I might be the only one to remember it, but Tapia looked smeg' A against Nana Yaw Konadu for the WBA 118lbs title. Konadu was also a vet but a very hard hitter & quality fighter who'd just had a second war with Daorung Chor Sirowat (excuse the spelling).
Although he got sat on his arse for the first (only?) time in his career, Tapia looked very slick that night...
I agree that Tapia beat Nana Kondu...but it was much closer then a "shut-out".
Plus Kondu was without question a few years past his best days by then.
Both men in their primes....I'd take Kondu in a very close fight.
:x .. dont give up the day job mate!.. 
That is trash talking Dec.Decagon wrote:Yeah. How respectful was he when he said that he'd punch Danny Romero in his injured eye all night long, hoping to make him blind?Evander wrote:Tapia.
One of the toughest fighters I have ever seen.
Respectful
When he fought Barrera's kin he was class.
Tapia on top was a good fighter.
Remembered well by me.
Nice haiku attempt, though.
Fair and square.
Tapia was pushing for that fight for the longest time.
When it came off Tapia fought clean and won fairly which is what counts.
Mike Tyson said he wanted to push some guys jaw up into into his brain at one point.
It is talk and meant to unstable an opponent.
Tapia was ok.