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Video After The Jump

 

Johnny Tapia was a five-time boxing world champion. The Albuquerque, New Mexico brawler overcame tremendous odds to achieve greatness.

 

Tapia's father was murdered before he was born. At eight years-old he found his mother, Virginia, chained to the back of a truck after she had been kidnapped, beaten, stabbed and raped. She died four days later.

 

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As a boxer Tapia picked up the nickname "Mi Vida Loca," Spanish for "My Crazy Life." Win, lose or draw, Tapia's fights were always action packed. He never backed down from an opponent and fought as if his life depended on it.

 

Despite battling drug addiction at times throughout his life, Tapia won titles in four weight divisions. He was WBO Super Flyweight Champion (1994), IBF Super Flyweight Champion (1997), WBA Bantamweight Champion (1998), WBO Bantamweight Champion (2000) and IBF Featherweight Champion (2002).

 

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His career record stands at 59 wins (30 KO's), 5 losses and 2 draws. He passed away on May 27, 2012 at the age of 45.

 

Johnny's life story has been been made into a documentary titled TAPIA50 Cent’s G-Unit Film and Television and Lou Dibella's BK Blu Productions have acquired the rights to the film. It will premiere on Saturday, June 15 at the Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE with an additional screening on Wednesday June 19, according to Pro Boxing.

 

TAPIA chronicles the personal and professional life of the boxer, beginning with his poor childhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The film explores the glory of his punishing ring prowess and five world titles in three weight classes, forever mired by personal demons: his mother's brutal kidnapping and murder when he was 8 years old, and his drug addiction, mental illness and near death experiences. Using first person narration from Tapia himself, archival footage, and personal photos, director Eddie Alcazar paints an intimate picture of the fighter and the man.

 

TAPIA follows the champ’s winding road through victories, downfalls and redemption. Director Alcazar spent many hours with Tapia filming the biopic, just weeks before the fighter’s tragic death at age 45. Tapia’s last interviews now serve as the heartbeat of Alcazar's revealing documentary. In it, the soft-spoken champ opens up about his ‘vida loca’ and the unending pain of his mother’s murder, which led to glory in the ring and struggle throughout his life.



 

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I was drawn to the intensity of this project," 50 says. "His story resonated with me because like Tapia, I too lost my mother to violence and grew up with limited means. It’s a heartfelt story and it was important for me to get involved with bringing this to a broader audience.”

 

Dibella echoed 50's sentiments.

 

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“I’m thrilled to join 50 in acquiring this riveting documentary. This is not a boxing film, but a film about tragedy, triumph, demons and redemption,” said Dibella. “Johnny gives us an honest assessment of his strengths and frailties; he reminds us of the power and resiliency of the human spirit.”






TAPIA documentary preview







Johnny Tapia - Mi Vida Loca (Boxing highlights)


 

**UPDATE** June 13th


Check out the new trailer for "TAPIA" below.

 





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