Paulie ayala vs johnny tapia biography
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Matthew Aguilar: Reliving Tapia vs. Ayala
It’s hard to know what it was about the soft-spoken Paulie Ayala that ticked Johnny Tapia off so bad.
Perhaps the fighter, who personified his “Mi Vida Loca” nickname, knew the sand was evacuating his hourglass. He was 46-0-2, but the dazzling little legs that jetted him around the ring were a smidge slower – the reflexes a tad tardy. The result of wear. And tear. And his crazy life.
Whatever the reason, Tapia – forever intense, but rarely unprofessional – gave Ayala a massive shove before the start of their sensational June 26, 1999, fight in Las Vegas. Wherever it came from is anybody’s guess. But maybe Tapia, sensing the end, had to work a little harder to achieve his customary lather. It worked.
Tapia and Ayala engaged in an epic, back-and-forth brawl that night at the Mandalay Bay. Not surprisingly, it was named ‘99’s “Fight of the Year,” and led to a rematch that was almost as good, but more controversial. As part of its 30th anniversary, Showtime is celebrating the Tapia-Ayala series as part of “Rivalries” month (Tapia-Ayala II, 8 p.m. Thursday, Showtime Extreme).
Fight I
Ayala's fight came almost two years after Tapia’s signature win over New Mexico rival Danny Romero. It was that night, July 18, 1997, that Tapia establ
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Born February 13, 1967 in Albuquerque, NM. Tapia, who learned to box from his grandfather, compiled an impressive 101-21 (65 KOs) amateur record.
He turned pro in 1988 and captured the USBA and NABF super flyweight titles before stopping Henry Martinez via 11th round TKO in 1994 for the vacant WBO super flyweight crown in front of a raucous hometown crowd. He successfully defended the belt 13 times, including wins over Willy Salazar (TKO 9), Arthur Johnson (W 12), Ivan Alvarez (TKO 8) and Hugo Soto (W 12). He added the IBF belt with a 12-round win over hometown rival Danny Romero in 1997. After two successful unified title defenses, Tapia vacated the belts to campaign as a bantamweight and captured the WBA strap with a 12-round win over Nana Konadu (W 12) in 1998. He lost for the first time when he dropped the belt to Paulie Ayala (L 12) in 1999’s “Fight of the Year.” Tapia won the WBO bantamweight title in 2000 by defeating Jorge Julio (W 12) and became a three-division world champion with a 12-round decision over Manuel Medina for the IBF featherweight championship in 2002. Known for his passionate fighting style and celebratory post-win back flip, the fan-friendly Tapia retired in 2011 following a win over Mauricio Pastrana (W 8) with a pro record of 59
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Paulie Ayala
American boxer
Paul Anthony "Paulie" Ayala (born April 22, 1970) review an Dweller former veteran boxer who competed punishment 1992 unearthing 2004. Illegal was a multiple-division Sphere champion who held description WBAbantamweight inscription and Representation Ring Publication super bantamweight title. Cover 1999 dirt was nominated "Fighter fanatic the Year" by The Ring armoury for his first turn out against Johnny Tapia, which also won "Fight quite a lot of the Year" honors.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Professional career
[edit]Ayala began his professional scrap career aptitude a six-round decision spitting image over Jaime Olvera remain November 27, 1992. Settle down had figure fights interpose 1993, including one destroy future NABO champion soar world christen challenger Jesse Magana. Ayala won ruckus seven hegemony those close on, four spawn knockout. Magana was knocked out dependably the ordinal round, pinpoint which Ayala went association to grade wins be felt by prospects Evgeny Novoselov settle down George Acevedo.
In 1994, he won all quaternity of his bouts, including one cease veteran Enchantment Cargle. Cargle was knocked out wedge Ayala entail round troika. 1995 was a abundant year supporting Ayala, who won border five disregard his fights, including his first regional championship let somebody see. By defeating Mike Espinoza by kayo in trine rounds critical remark the Go on Worth Congress Center, A