Tapia remains critical

Five-time world champion Johnny Tapia remained hospitalised on Tuesday after an apparent cocaine overdose

Five-time world champion Johnny Tapia remained hospitalised on Tuesday after an apparent cocaine overdose, the latest episode outside the ring in the Albuquerque fighter8217;s turbulent life. The 40-year-old Tapia was in critical condition at Presbyterian Hospital, said Elizabeth Schomburg, communications specialist for Presbyterian Healthcare Services. Tapia was taken to the hospital on Monday after paramedics responded to an early morning call about a person who wasn8217;t breathing at a hotel room, said officer Trish Hoffman of the Albuquerque Police Department.

8220;It appears to be an overdose,8221; Hoffman said. 8220;He will be charged with possession of a controlled substance.8221;

Police discovered a plastic bag containing a white substance, which Hoffman said was confirmed by tests as cocaine. 8220;This is a difficult time for the family. They greatly appreciate the many prayers and heartfelt wishes from the public. 8220;They ask that their privacy be respected at this time so that they can focus on Mr Tapia8217;s return to health,8221; said Todd Sandman, the hospital8217;s director of public relations.

Tapia8217;s latest episode with drugs comes more than two weeks after he won a majority decision over Evaristo Primero of El Paso, Texas. That fight was billed as Tapia8217;s farewell performance from the ring. He has a 56-5 record with two draws.

In pre-fight remarks, Tapia said his hard-living days were behind him and described how his three children had firmly grounded his life. But in the same interview, Tapia8217;s old personality resurfaced.

8220;Every day, I8217;m doing good. But if I want to go drink right now, I can,8221; he said. 8220;Nobody tells me what I can do or what I want to do. I8217;m trying to do for my family and myself, but if I want to go party, I8217;ll party.8221; Tapia was banned from boxing for 3 1/2 years in the early 1990s because of his cocaine addiction. He spent six months in rehabilitation in 2003 after a collapse at home and later that year police said he overdosed on prescription pills.

It8217;s has been a hard life outside the ring for Tapia, who was orphaned at 8, his mother stabbed 26 times with a screwdriver. He never knew his father and has battled cocaine addiction, alcohol, depression and numerous run-ins with the law.