How great was Johnny Tapia?

[BigStereotype]

So I got Mi Vida Loca in the mail today and I could not put it down. It's a great story if anybody is interested in checking it out. I hadn't seen too much of Tapia before that outside of the Barrera fight and I downloaded that Ayala fights...the first one didn't work, but the second one was a fantastic performance by Tapia and I think a terrible robbery. He had very obvious skills and was a likable fighter, but how great was he in your opinion? I really don't know much about fighters that low in weight, so I can't pick out the names on his resume...is he an ATG?

[The_Demon]

I wouldnt say hes an ATG but certainly a very good fighter and always entertaining,very tough too

Hes still active today,i started a thread about it a few weeks ago

[Scott9945]

Tapia at 115 was one of the toughest competitors I've ever seen. He had a high workrate and tremendous intensity. People often forget that he lost 3-4 years of his prime because of his problems.

[Joey Giardello]

Tapia was one of the best of his era, a great 115 pounder and very excting to watch

[lazy]

Tapia didn't have much power but somehow was one the most exciting fighters of his time.

[mickey malone]

Very true, Ayala II was a robbery..

Tbh, i'd have to seriously question anyone who doesn't like Johnny Tapia.. A teak tough, come forward, no-nonsense warrior.. There's absolutely no fear in him whatsoever, just an all out blood and guts fighter..
He's a dead cert hoffa and could have quite possibly been an atg had he not spent the best part of his career pickled in drink and drugs. He pushed it to the limit and was returned from the brink of death on more than one occasion, a problem largely attributed to the abduction and murder of his mum who was snatched infront of him as a child.

It's a miracle he's still alive, let alone still fighting at 43 which is a major concern. With the addition of a suicidal personality, the Tapia quandry becomes like the devil and the deep blue sea. He'll not be saved from himself, but take boxing away, and he'll probably be at an even higher risk of self-destruction. Please let me know if the book suggests otherwise, because i'd truly like to think of him as having a good future.

[BigStereotype]

Very true, Ayala II was a robbery..

Tbh, i'd have to seriously question anyone who doesn't like Johnny Tapia.. A teak tough, come forward, no-nonsense warrior.. There's absolutely no fear in him whatsoever, just an all out blood and guts fighter..
He's a dead cert hoffa and could have quite possibly been an atg had he not spent the best part of his career pickled in drink and drugs. He pushed it to the limit and was returned from the brink of death on more than one occasion, a problem largely attributed to the abduction and murder of his mum who was snatched infront of him as a child.

It's a miracle he's still alive, let alone still fighting at 43 which is a major concern. With the addition of a suicidal personality, the Tapia quandry becomes like the devil and the deep blue sea. He'll not be saved from himself, but take boxing away, and he'll probably be at an even higher risk of self-destruction. Please let me know if the book suggests otherwise, because i'd truly like to think of him as having a good future.

It does...but then last year he violated his parole for ******* possession and I think he OD'd. I was really heartbroken to hear that after the way his book ends.

[SNVDoublePunch!]

I personally consider him an ATG, but I understand those who don't. I think I'm in the minority there. His resume of opponents beaten is thin for that qualification, but to me, he's a holy terror at 115 and he had very underrated ability because of his tyoical style but he was very well-schooled. And his chin was pure f**king iron.

[The Surgeon]

He's one of my personal favourites so perhaps im a touch bias but for me he is an ATG.

One things for damn sure there's not a fighter in history that would have had an easy night against Johnny Mi Vida Loca Tapia

[BigStereotype]

He's one of my personal favourites so perhaps im a touch bias but for me he is an ATG.

One things for damn sure there's not a fighter in history that would have had an easy night against Johnny Mi Vida Loca Tapia

My boy Barrera did...Tapia made some really good adjustments in the late rounds, but Barrera totally handled him. That was an ancient Tapia, though.