Impossible to imagine the pain Tapia endured his entire life. One of the purest fighters of all-time.

I became a fan of Johnny Tapia in 1991 before his first ban, and followed him forever since, it was An Absolute Honour for Johnny Tapia to fight on my undercard at the world famous York Hall in London in 2002, i will always remember the roar of the crowd when he came into the ring, i was in my changing room getting ready for my EBU title fight,  Johnny Tapia was the Real Main Event that night🙏🏿

I was in the crowd at the Tapia/ Martinez title fight, which was held in Albuquerque. It was UNBELIEVABLE. Al Bernstein said that this was the BEST crowd he'd ever seen. New Mexico loved him. I remember screaming throughout the fight. I also remember towards the end of the fight when Tapia hurt Martinez. The crowd went ballistic, and you could see the deep emotions on Tapia's face, which made us scream even more. He knew he was loved.

Another masterful job of depicting a misguided, misunderstood, extremely challenged, yet dangerously successful fighter.
I was an admirer of Johnny Tapia. He was a good boxer, GREAT fighter, and had a huge heart both in & out of the ring. His was a Cinderella story. The underdog becoming the favorite. He was mixed up, but he was REAL.
Rich, you did a GREAT job presenting his life and boxing career to us.
Thanks Rich. You're a very talented boxing historian and story teller. 👍🥊✝🙏

I was at Tapia’s IBHOF Induction in 2017 his wife gave a very touching speech 🎤

It’s amazing how Tapia used that rage within him to become such a relentless warrior in the ring, yet how that same rage almost cosumed  him so many times outside of the ring. Great work as always Rich.

Johnny Tapia was one of the true greats!!!

I had the privilege to be around Johnny. He was one of a kind. Gone but never forgotten. R.I.P JT

I saw him live at the Henry Martinez fight in Albuquerque. I sat in the middle of the front row that was setback from the very best front row seats. I remember the MONSTROUS roar of the crowd when he hurt Martinez. It was unbelievable. You could see Johnny melt with emotion because he knew how much we loved him. I was in my mid twenties, and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. The ESPN commentators said that they had NEVER heard a crowd so loud. He was so LOVED by Albuquerque and many fans around the world. UGH, I MISS HIM.

I was at The Pit watching this fight with my Dad. RIP Pops. The Pit is one of the loudest places on earth. The energy that night was wild and it’s like a real life Rocky movie. It felt like Tapia was us and we were Tapia. He was so loved and valued because he fought for us. There will never ever be another Johnny “Mi Vida Loca” Tapia.” New Mexicos Champ. RIP

I would see Johnny at the community center as a kid, I had to have been 8 or 9. He was always cool, down to earth, humble, grounded.

Last time I saw him, was a year or two before he passed. I hadn't seen him since those days spent at the center. Johnny spoke to me like he had known me for years. "What's up, Carnal?" Johnny was always cool, down to earth, humble, grounded.

Truly a great person. R.I.P. Johnny.

This story brings me to tears every time 😢

Johnny Tapia was the people’s champ. You rooted for him. Not because you thought he was perfect. Quite the opposite. You saw a lot of yourself and what you could’ve been if you made those same mistakes, and went through those same tragedies, as Johnny. He was New Mexico’s Rocky. I read that towards the end of his life he gave his life to Jesus Christ. That’s the greatest decision he ever could’ve made with everything that happened to him. May he rest in eternal peace. God bless all of his remaining loved ones and fans!

Johnny was a special fighter and person. They don't make them like that anymore. Me and my pops used to have big get togethers at his house every time Tapia fought. We don't have a lot of New Mexico heros to get behind but he was definitely one of our favorites. Thanks for this documentary man great job as always. RIP Dad RIP Johnny Tapia 🥊

Thank you rich, tapia is one of my favourite fighters that I have watched

Johnny Lee Anthony Tapia.  What a fighter, what a man!

R.I.P his soul ! He was a fighter in and out of the ring. He may went down in life but he refused to stay down 💜 Tks for another excellent documentary 🙏

He is my favorite fighter of all time. I'm 50 now and pop is 72 and we'd get excited to see Tapia. I've  still never seen such a quick puncher. Oscar would be second on that list.

It breaks my heart that he never had a chance to enjoy life after he beat his demons. If anyone deserved a long happy life it's Johnny Tapia. This dude could have helped so many people but I just think it's unfair he died so young

Todays  kids,  young people , todays generation will never compare  to those of us that we’re growing up and on the streets in the 90’s