The Ghost of Johnny Tapia: —Hamilcar Noir True Crime Series

by Paul Zanon, Sammy Hagar (Foreword)

"If I wake up, I know I'm a success. The day I don't wake up, I know I'll be home. I have one foot on this earth and one foot has crossed over. I didn’t just die, I lived.”—Johnny Tapia

...the ghost of Johnny Tapia lives on.

“Mi Vida Loca” (My Crazy Life) was Johnny Tapia’s nickname and his reason for being. Haunted by the brutal murder of his beloved mother when he was a child, fighting and drugs gave him the escape he craved—and he did both with gusto. In The Ghost Of Johnny Tapia, Paul Zanon, with the help of Tapia’s widow Teresa, tells the harrowing and unforgettable story of a boxing genius who couldn’t, in the end, defeat his demons.

The Ghost of Johnny Tapia is the second in the Hamilcar Noir series. Hamilcar Noir is "Hard-Hitting True Crime" that blends boxing and true crime, featuring riveting stories captured in high-quality prose, with cover art inspired by classic pulp novels.

From the Foreword:
"Johnny had incredible heart, was such a sweet man, but was also tormented. He had two sides to him. The sweetest, nicest guy, but then the other side which could probably kill you. He was tortured with his addictions, but Johnny was always pure emotion in that ring."—Sammy ‘The Red Rocker’ Hagar, Musician

Genres: Nonfiction

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2019

Reviews

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Johnny Tapia is at once brutal and sad. This short book by Paul Zanon packs a lot of lunch in only 96 pages. From the horrific murder of his mother to his numerous highs from drugs that at times left days away from home to his untimely death, Zanon doesn't miss a beat when describing Tapia's life to the reader. What makes the story even sadder is now much promise Tapia had in his boxing career as he was the junior welterweight world champion in the late 1980's and later became the lightweight champion. John's widow Teresa contributes to the book as well as she shares many details of their volatile marriage with Zanon. The reader will be hooked from the start of their life together when Johnny was night on their wedding night to when Teresa had to tell Johnny in his corner that he suffered his first professional loss in the sign and ultimately to when Teresa had to.call.911 because Johnny died from a prescription drug overdose. The whole gamut of emotions will flood the reader, unusual.for such a short book. It is one that boxing fans will enjoy about the short life of the troubled Hall of Fame boxer.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't follow Tapia too much when he fought but, after reading this book, I really wish I would have paid more attention. This book was riveting and I couldn't put it down.

[Mario · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short but interesting book on the life of Johnny Tapia. As someone who knew of him but didn't know much about his life, this was eye-opening. Beef this up to 300 pages and you'd have a 5* book because, unfortunately, Tapia's life had so much tragedy and incidents. Only 3* because it was short.

[TK421 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting read about a true gladiator who battles foes inside and outside the ring. Unfortunately, his biggest foe is the one who stares back from the mirror. Highly recommended.

[Matt Gale]

If you've read Mi Vida Loca, you have no need to read this. I learned nothing new from reading this

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid boxing book about a true legend. I wanted a little more from it, if only because I knew about Tapia’s career before I started the book, but there was still plenty I’d never heard, and which I suspect will be new to most readers. Also, good and fluid prose.