Boxer sentenced to 'Celebrity Rehab'

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Instead of boxing fans it will be cameras tracking every move of five-time world champ Johnny Tapia as a probation violation sends him to cable TV show starring celebrities with drug or alcohol problems.

But first Tapia will serve nine days in jail for violating his probation on a prior drug conviction.

On Wednesday Tapia admitted in court that he had possessed a controlled substance, and District Judge Kenneth Martinez imposed the sentence that includes the stint on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on the cable TV channel VH1.

The show, which follows celebrities like Brigitte Nielsen and Daniel Baldwin as they go through rehab for drug or alcohol abuse, invited Tapia to participate. His rehab is part of the show's next season.

"Yeah, I've seen it," Tapia said after the hearing. "I've seen it on TV."

But is he going to be OK with video cameras around 24 hours a day? a TV reporter asked.

"I'm with you guys every time man," Tapia replied.

When Tapia finishes Celebrity Rehab he'll still be facing another six months of treatment in the state facility at Fort Stanton.

Tapia discussed his new rehab opportunity and his addiction at length on the latest episode of Van Tate's Sports Office.