johnny tapia

The sport of boxing lost some of its most colorful characters -- including iconic figures such as Emanuel Steward, Carmen Basilio, Angelo Dundee, Teofilo Stevenson, Bert Sugar, Hector Camacho and Johnny Tapia -- in 2012.

"It just felt very, very personal to me," said broadcaster Al Bernstein, who sings "What a Wonderful World" in honor of boxing dignitaries such as the late Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel "Manny" Steward during a musical tribute on The Boxing Channel. 

Hall of Famer Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson was arrested on Tuesday and charged with one count of drug possession with intent to distribute. 

An autopsy has determined that former five-belt, three-division champion Johnny Tapia died of heart problems related to his medication.

Showtime will air a special short-form compilation in honor of recently passed former three-division titleholder Johnny Tapia on its Championship Boxing broadcast on Saturday.

Former three-division titleholder Johnny Tapia, who died earlier this month, fought nine times on Showtime and had been employed by the network earlier this year.  

For most of his life Johnny Tapia waged a war within himself. One side radiated uncommon charisma and fighting spirit. The other side was turbulent and self-destructive. On Sunday night, Tapia's long struggle with himself came to an end and the boxing world is left to mourn his passing.

Former five-time, three-division titleholder Johnny Tapia has been found dead in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 45.