Hamed To Fight Tapia

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For Prince Naseem Hamed, the path back to a world title is beginning to take shape.

Word comes from New Mexico, the desert state in the American Southwest, that four-time world champion Johnny Tapia is in negotiations to fight the Prince for a title later this year.

Tapia recently signed a deal making Don King his promoter, and the arrangement looks as if it may pay huge dividends for the 34-year-old fighter.

Teresa Tapia, Johnny’s wife and business manager, revealed this week that Hamed is the final step in a three-fight plan that King proposed.

“‘Don wants us to fight the Prince in October. We’ve said yes to everything they’ve asked for so far,” she said.

“They want it in New York in October in Radio City Music Hall and at 126 pounds. Johnny has agreed to that.”

Neither fighter currently holds a title, but King is hoping Tapia will take care of that before October.

Tapia, 49-2-2 with 26 KOs, is scheduled to face Cesar Soto on 30 June in a non-title bout. Then, if all goes to plan, he will fight for a title in August against an as-yet unnamed opponent.

Provided Tapia wins those next two fights, Hamed will be waiting in October.

Tapia, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, could provide a stern test for the Prince. Since turning pro in 1988, he has earned a reputation as a warrior in the ring, not afraid of turning his fights into street brawls.

His proudest moment was probably his 1997 victory over hometown rival Danny Romero, which unified the IBF and WBO junior bantamweight titles.

His only two losses were both close 12-round decisions to Paulie Ayala, the first in 1999 and the second in 2000.

Tapia’s motto, “Mi Vida Loca,” translated “My Crazy Life,” is not a reflection on his choice of pop music. His life outside the ring has been tumultuous and difficult.

Both his parents were murdered before Tapia was ten years old, and his long-running battle with cocaine addiction led to a three-year suspension from boxing in the early 1990s.

Tapia may be slightly past his prime, but he is still a hardened ring veteran who will be more than a handful for Hamed.

Tapia Rejects Hamed Fight

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It seems that the fight which was expected to be announced has become a non event due to the opponent Johnny Tapia turning down the fight offer.
Tapia(47-1-2 26kos) would have had to move up a couple of weights to take the fight but as he is with a different TV company wanted to remain loyal to them and so declined the fight.

6 fight options have been released:
Johnny Tapia(If they can yet persuede him)
Marco Antonio Barrera
Juan Manuel Marquez
Freddie Norwood(WBA Champion fighting Juan Pablo Chacon on 25th May)
Juan Ramirez(recent conqeuror of Steve Robinson)
Danny Romero
Wayne McCullough

Hamed For Tapia Or Marquez

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According to the L.A Times boxing column it is claimed that Bob Arum manager of Johnny Tapia (Bantamweight champion) received a phone call from Naz asking for a fight!

Whether this is true or not is unknown but if we hear anything else we’ll let you know.

Also regarding fancied opponents the name Juan Manuel Marquez is on the lips it seems of everyone on the net as a decent opponent for Naz to fight after he won again recently giving him 29 wins and 1 loss (23 KO’s). Only problem is that Marquez does not have a belt and that could put Naz off. HBO’s Larry Merchant was at the last Marquez fight so perhaps he was checking him out as a possible opponent for Naz as part of his HBO fight contract.

Marquez is ranked the No 1 WBO contender and the No 2 WBC contender.