Between the annular eclipse of the sun on May 20, and the passage of
Venus in front of the sun tomorrow (June 5th), Albuquerque lost its most endearing and tragic
son, five-time world boxing champion Johnny Tapia. Orphaned by unspeakable violence, blessed
with natural skills, and burdened with drug addictions, Johnny Tapia gave
his home town of Albuquerque the gift of humor, honesty, generosity, and gritty grace that the rest of us can
only dream of. Oh, and did I mention five-time world boxing champion?
On June 3rd more than 7,000 Albuquerqueans, many waiting hours in punishing heat, gathered
at the University of New Mexico’s fabled basketball arena to honor
the life of Johnny Tapia, the life he called, “mi vida loca.”
I thank all who allowed me to photograph them.
Robert Leutheuser
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