Johnny Tapia Found Dead at 45

Five-time world champion in three weight classes Johnny “Mi Vida Loca” Tapia was reportedly found dead Sunday at his Albuquerque home.

According to the report by the television station KOB-TV Albuquerque, local authorities were called to the house at about 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, spokesman Robert Gibbs said. The death didn’t appear to be suspicious.

Tapia, 45 struggled with alcohol, cocaine addiction, and depression.

In 2007, he was hospitalized after an apparent cocaine overdose. Several days later, his brother-in-law and his nephew were killed in car accident on their way to Albuquerque to see the ailing boxer.

Tapia’s mother was kidnapped, stabbed 26 times and left for dead when he was eight years old.

“She was taken from me. I’ve been blue ever since. And ever since, I haven’t known if I should live or die. That’s the God’s honest truth. That’s the only way I can say it. As long as my mother’s in heaven, there’s a calling for me to go there” -Johnny Tapia “Mi Vida Loca” book excerpt.

*UPDATE: An autopsy will be performed in the next few days.

http://youtu.be/yocUkTOtOms