Austin Trout Remembers, Emulates Departed New Mexico Boxing Icon Johnny Tapia

Austin Trout Remembers, Emulates Departed New Mexico Boxing Icon Johnny Tapia
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
May 29, 2012

Saturday night, Las Cruces, New Mexico's Austin Trout makes his debut on the big stage as part of a Showtime televised quadrupleheader taking place in Carson, Calif. where he defends his 154-pound alphabet strap against tough and determined Delvin Rodriguez.

What was already a difficult assignment got a bit more taxing when news broke late Sunday night that New Mexico boxing icon Johnny Tapia (right) had passed away at 45 after a long and tumultuous life.

“At first I didn't believe it,” Trout (right center) told TQBR Monday.

“You know Johnny, he's got like 20 lives. He has unfortunately OD'd numerous times. There have always been rumors of him dying. I didn't really believe it. 'Johnny didn't die, he's still alive,' is what I said. When I heard that they confirmed it I just felt, 'God, that is crazy.' There were stages of denial and sadness, now I am just praying for his family.”

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