Johnny Tapia Dies: Boxing Champ Found Dead In New Mexico

Johnny Tapia Dead At 45

Johnny Tapia was found dead at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sunday, May 27, according to reports. The five-time boxing champ was 45 years old.

The cause of Tapia's death is still being investigated but authorities said foul play is not being suspected.

Tapia's friend Dennis Latta told KOB.com that the Tapia family is "just distraught. He's come so close so often to death, so it's hard to believe that it's finally happened."

Back in 2007, Tapia was found unconscious and not breathing in a hotel room. Tapia was then hospitalized in critical condition from an apparent cocaine overdose.

Tapia's boxing career spanned for over two decades. He finished with a record of 59-5-2 with 30 knockouts.

Tapia's record include winning five championships in three weight classes - the WBA bantamweight title, the IBF and WBO junior bantamweight titles and the IBF featherweight belt.

He was last seen in a professional boxing fight last June 2011.