Tapia's widow talks about night he died

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Johnny Tapia's wife says he told her he wouldn't live past 45. He didn't. Thursday she spoke to News 13 about finding her husband dead in their home, and about life with and without Johnny.

"Last week we were having a good day and it was a week before he..you know..Sunday..and he's like you know what Tre, I feel like something is going to happen," Teresa Tapia said.

Teresa Tapia said her husband often told her he was going to die, and it was something the five-time World Boxing champion did not fear.

"I have one foot in the grave and one foot in this world," he told her. "The only thing holding me here is you and the kids because I want to be there, but I don't want to leave you guys," Teresa Tapia said. She said that's what Johnny often told her.

On Sunday Johnny Tapia died at his home. Teresa said that day started out like any other. She and her children went to a movie while Johnny stayed home and rested. But Teresa says she sensed something was wrong. When she came home and went upstairs she found Johnny on the floor.

She tried to wake him but couldn't. Rescue crews arrived and tried to revive him also, but it was too late.  Teresa says they told her he was gone and something about him "bleeding out".

Now she and her sons are still trying to accept what happened. "I wake up every morning and I look out and the sun is up and people are going on with their lives, but my whole world stopped. I just don't understand how someone could be wiped out of your life and everything goes on," Teresa said.

A public viewing memorial is scheduled this Sunday at the Pit. Doors open at 6:00 PM.