Tapia: I Had A Stomach Virus, But I Wasn't Going To Stop

By Jake Donovan

It’s rare these days to see matchups between two promising unbeaten prospects on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, much less as an undercard attraction. It was a risk that both Glen Tapia and Abraham ‘Abie’ Ham were willing to take, as evidenced in their eight-round war Friday evening at Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas.

The reward was well worth the risk for Tapia, who overcame a game effort from Han to bloody and batter his opponent into submission after eight-rounds of action in their televised co-feature. It was apparently also worth overcoming pre-fight illness to plow forward with the showcase opportunity.

“I had a stomach virus, but didn't tell anyone,” Tapia admitted after the fight of his physical state earlier in the week. “This is my chance, I wasn’t going to stop it for nothing.”

The Jersey-based super welterweight came roaring out in the opening round, but was met with the heart and will of Han in the ensuing rounds. Tapia eventually took over the fight midway through, bludgeoning the unbeaten Texan to where it was a surprise the fight lasted as long as it did. That’s not to say the victor didn’t have to take his fair share of licks before prevailing.

"I’m a warrior, I won’t ever quit,” Tapia bluntly stated when asked about the early give-and-take. “And if you see me fail down, I will get back up.”

Han was forced to get up – sort of – after being gigged for an official knockdown late in the seventh. Tapia scored with a right hand to the temple that caused his foe to stumble head first into the ropes, a sequence correctly ruled a knockdown by referee Jay Nady.

Already contending with a gusher of a cut which was caused by a headbutt, Han (now 19-1, 12KO) was simply forced to overcome too much, having reached the point of no return. This was recognized by his corner, who elected to stop the contest at the end of the eighth round.

The win is by far the biggest thus far for Tapia (19-0, 11KO), a former amateur standout who turned pro in 2008. As far as what’s next in store, the unbeaten prospect expressed far more concern about the present.

“I’m mad at myself. I feel like I’m tired,” Tapia admitted after the fight.

He would later expand on his tunnel-vision approach towards Friday’s fight.

“I was just worried about today,” Tapia stated when asked about his future. “Whoever’s in the ring, I’m there. I’m fighting anyone. I don’t care who it is.”                

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox