He was the IBF Super Flyweight Champion from July 1997 to December 1988 and the WBA Bantamweight Champion from December 1998 to June 1999. He held the WBO Bantamweight Championship from January to September 2000 and the IBF Featherweight title from April to November 2002. Tapia finished his career with a record of 59 – 5 – 2 with 30 wins by Knockout. He authored an autobiography titled Mi Vida Loca. Johnny Tapia passed away on May 27, 2012 at 45 years old of heart failure.