Tapia faces Medina first, then Hamed

By Paul Upham: Johnny Tapia, 51-2-2 (28), attempts to win his fifth world title against IBF featherweight champion Manuel Medina, 60-11 (27), this Saturday night in the Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York, on HBO. Promoter Murad Muhammad believes that a win over Medina will see Tapia facing Prince Naseem Hamed later in 2002.
“Prior to Johnny (Tapia) signing to meet Medina, we were anticipating that the Prince would fight Johnny next. He was scheduled to be on the Prince’s card,” said Muhammad. “That didn’t happen, so we had to find something that would compliment Johnny and we were able to convince HBO and they created a timeslot for him.”

After winning the WBO and IBF junior bantamweight titles and WBO and WBA bantamweight titles in a career spanning 14 years, Tapia faces Medina, who is a four-time world champion in his own right at featherweight.

Winning a fifth world crown is the perfect way for Tapia to secure a fight with Hamed says Muhammad. “The idea that he is fighting for a world title, gives him more substance and credibility for the Prince, the desire to face him in the ring, because now the Prince is not only fighting a legend but he will be fighting the champion of the IBF at 126lbs. We feel pleased that Johnny is in this position,” he said.

“The Prince on the other hand, needs a Johnny Tapia. For him to fight (Marco Antonio) Barrera right back would not be exciting. But he would redeem himself by beating a legend like Johnny Tapia, which would put him in a very key position for a rematch with Barrera. More importantly, if he becomes the IBF world champion, it is a unification fight then with Barrera.

“Madison Square Garden and I have been negotiating and trying to come up with some kind of formula that will entice the Prince to come to the United States and face Johnny Tapia. HBO chose to do this fight not just because they want to do a Tapia fight, but because they want Tapia versus the Prince. We all believe, HBO, Madison Square Garden, the Tapia’s and M & M Sports, that it could be one of the best fights put together this year.”

But before he can think about a mega fight with Hamed, Tapia must first overcome 31-year-old Medina who has proven to be a durable world champion who always manages to come back just when it seems that it is time for him to retire.

“I am very elated and I am excited because it is going to be a great fight,” said Muhammad.

Tapia, 35, was so determined going into this bout that he spent time training at Big Bear, California.

“As you know, Johnny comes and brings electricity to the ring. He is an exciting fighter and he loves to win. He went to Big Bear to train for this fight and he hasn’t been to Big Bear in a long time,” said Muhammad.

“Medina, I give a lot of credit to him because Medina feels in his heart that Johnny Tapia cannot beat him. He would have taken this fight if it was for peanuts, because he believes that beating Johnny Tapia puts him on a different level and more importantly, puts him in position to meet the Prince (again) for a great deal of money.

“I think that Johnny realised this here and went to Big Bear and trained like he has never trained before because he understands that Medina could upset him on Saturday night.”

Muhammad has had an amazing run over the last 12 months where fighters have signed with his promotional company M & M Sports and then gone on to fight for a world title in a short period of time.

“This is something that Johnny dreamt about, but did not believe that it would happen so quickly. I say to the athletes that come into my life on this level that I pull miracles. I could tell you that I skilfully made this happen, I can only say to you that it was a miracle,” said Muhammad.

“Just like Javier Castillejo signing with me and the next thing you know he is fighting Oscar De La Hoya. Manny Pacquiao signing with me and a week later he is fighting for a world championship and is now the IBF world champion. Now Johnny Tapia after his first fight he is fighting to become a five-time world champion.

“Something about what I do makes things like this happen as a miracle. I’m elated because he dreamt about this. He wanted to become a five-time world champion. With that in mind, Johnny being mentally, physically and spiritually up for this fight, in my humble opinion that he becomes five-time world champion.”


Paul Upham
Contributing Editor