Boxing fans mourn loss of Johnny Tapia

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Fans of boxing legend Johnny Tapia are honoring their hero this morning with a make shift memorial outside his gym in Northeast Albuquerque.

Tapia was found dead in his Northwest Albuquerque home on Sunday evening. Police were called to the home with reports of a man discovered dead. A source close to the family confirmed to News 13 that the man was indeed Tapia. The cause of death has not been determined, although it's no secret that Tapia battled a drug addiction for many years. It will be up to the Office of the Medical Investigator to find the official cause.

News of Tapia's passing is not only affecting fans, but those who knew him best. "It's hitting them very hard," said Dennis Latta, longtime Tapia friend. "Johnny was so full of life and fun and everywhere he went he lit up the room.  So to think that that's not going to happen anymore is something that's really hard to accept..."

"This is a horrible horrible deal," says former boxing opponent Danny Romero. "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."

Johnny Tapia was 45 years old.

> Photos: Remembering a Champion, Johnny Tapia