Paulie Ayala shared the ring twice in epic battles with Johnny Tapia. Not only did he gain a greater appreciation for the fighter known as ‘Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life),’ but Ayala got to know Tapia more on a personal level afterwards.
Ayala reminisced of Tapia ahead of tonight’s rebroadcast of both fights on Showtime (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).
It was August of 1998 and Ayala has suffered his first blemish of his pro career, a technical decision loss to then-WBC bantamweight titleholder Joichiro Tatsuyoshi in Yokohama, Japan. Ayala would win two fights afterwards, but a phone call in the spring of 1999 would change his life forever.
“I was offered a fight against Johnny Tapia (which took place on June 26 of that year) and I was super-excited considering I was called over six months after the loss,” Ayala told BoxingScene over the phone Thursday morning. “I followed Johnny’s career. From what I was told, he had a few other options. I was grateful for the offer and I was happy to accept the fight.”
Ayala, who was born and still resides in Fort Worth, Texas, believed he executed his game-plan effectively, despite conceding Tapia the first three rounds of the fight.
“I had a feeling (trainer) Freddie Roach would have Tapia box me more since I did come forward,” said Ayala, who will turn 50 on April 22. “He pushed me right off the bat and I know he did well during the first three rounds. I forced him to stay in the pocket and fight me. I just kept catching him as the fight progressed.”
Aside from defeating Tapia, Ayala would win the WBA bantamweight title from Tapia . The fight was voted as the ‘Fight of the Year’ by The Ring.
Ayala would make two defenses of the WBA title before facing Tapia in a rematch in October of 2000. Rather than defend his title belt, Ayala had to make concessions for the fight.
“Johnny wanted the rematch and I obliged. He came up with the catchweight (of 124 pounds). He was playing games, including the ring introductions. I conceded to ever concession he wanted. I took less money than he received. I was confident I was going to beat him again and the bottom line was that I did beat him. He was busier than the first fight, but I was landing more punches. He never engaged like that when I was the challenger. I landed the more-telling punches in the fight.”
Despite the intense rivalry in the ring, Ayala was surprised to see Tapia in attendance for his last fight in his hometown of Fort Worth, sat down with Tapia, which took place in November of 2003, a decision victory over veteran Edel Ruiz. Tapia showed up announced to the fight, but Ayala was glad the two spoke after the fight.
The two kept in contact with one another until Tapia passed away in May of 2012. Ayala was invited and spoke at Tapia’s funeral.
Before and during the ceremony, Ayala heard several stories of Tapia’s generosity or how his good-natured humor affected people in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. One story in particular stood out to Ayala.
“Johnny made a world title defense and he was told about a fan of his who was in the hospital because he had terminal cancer. After the weigh-in, he went to the hospital to go visit him. This is the day before a title defense and here is Johnny going to the hospital to meet a fan who had cancer. That’s the type of person he was.”
Ayala would retire after his last fight, a knockout loss to Marco Antonio Barrera in June of 2004. His final record was 35-3, with 12 knockouts.
“That was it. I knew in my mind I would not have an itch to return to the ring. I had suffered a lot of injuries and aches during training camp. That was my body telling me I was done.”
Ayala got into promoting club shows in the Fort Worth-Dallas area. He did have former WBO junior welterweight titleholder Maurice Hooker fight on a handful of cards.
After moving on from promoting, Ayala opened up University of Hard Knocks, a boxing gym in Fort Worth. Ayala has opened his gym to work with a different array of individuals, from working with at-risk teenagers to those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
Ayala does work with a few amateur fighters, one of which stands out. He is 17-year-old German Lopez, a senior at nearby Arlington High School.
“He’s solid. He’s good. He plays high school soccer, but he’s very talented. Maybe he turns pro next year, but in the meantime, maybe he can continue his education while playing soccer for a community college in pursuit of his dream of studying criminal justice.”
After defeating Tapia in two close fights, and making the most of his second career as a trainer, Ayala is content with having gotten to know him him on a personal level.
“He was a great guy. He was as honest as he could be and that’s what I liked about him.”