Fans pay tribute to Champion of Ring

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - His life was plagued by tragedy and riddled with addiction, but Johnny Tapia was no doubt a champion in the ring. Tapia died Sunday , he was just 45-years-old.

Tapia brought the boxing world to Albuquerque, winning five world championships in three weight classes.

> PHOTOS: Remembering a Champion, Johnny Tapia

His death hit fans hard and many have been visiting his gym in Northeast Albuquerque Monday to pay tribute to the boxing legend.

On Sunday police were called to Tapia’s home in Northwest Albuquerque where he was discovered dead. At this time police are not saying how he died, but say the circumstances were not considered suspicious.

Tapia has long struggled with a very public drug addiction, spending time in and out of jail on drug charges.

Early in his career he was banned from boxing for three and a half years because of his cocaine addiction, but he bounced back to become a world champion several times.

His biggest rival in the ring was fellow local Danny Romero.

Romero spoke to KRQE News 13 referring to Tapia’s death as a loss of a legend and big hit to the boxing world.

“This is a horrible, horrible deal. It’s bad, you know. All my condolences to all the extended family you know he has a lot of people that love him man and it's just... It's horrible on them,” Romero said.

KRQE News 13 spoke to Tapia’s uncle, Tony Padilla, who said his nephew looked to be in healthy shape just a few weeks ago.

“He was a legend to the future of our kids, he was always involved, he was always smiling,” Padilla said.

> Watch Johnny Tapia talk to KRQE News 13 in February 2012