Tapia stripped of IBF title

Dean Juipe

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 | 9:50 a.m.

When Johnny Tapia steps into the ring Nov. 2 to face Marco Antonio Barrera at the MGM, he'll do so without his International Boxing Federation featherweight title.

Tapia, who defeated Manuel Medina for the IBF championship in April, was stripped of the belt this week in a decision that, once again, opens the IBF to criticism.

"I don't need the IBF to tell me that I'm a champion," Tapia said. "I want the fight. Barrera wants the fight. The IBF can keep the belt."

His wife and manager, Teresa, agreed.

"The IBF thinks Johnny should pay them a nonrefundable fee to consider allowing this fight (with Barrera)?" she said. "Then, if they approve, they'll take a percentage of Johnny's purse.

"Well, thanks for that.

"There is not a single fan who will decide not to watch this fight now that Johnny has been stripped of the IBF title."

The IBF, coming off legal and ethical problems pertaining to its ratings of fighters, preferred Tapia to take an immediate rematch with Medina. With the title now vacant, a Medina vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight will be arranged for the organization's 126-pound championship.

"The IBF rules say that no champion should engage in a bout within 60 days of a mandatory defense," IBF ratings chairman Daryl Peoples told the Associated Press, attempting to justify the decision to strip Tapia. "The 60-day rule would have been violated when he fought Barrera."

Barrera, in comments relayed by a publicist, was indifferent toward the IBF decision and says he has his sights set squarely on the fight.

"I'm at the point of my career where there is no way I would underestimate Johnny Tapia," Barrera said. "I'm preparing for him at his best (and) I have a lot of respect for him."

Barrera, 28, is 55-3 and has elevated his stature since a win in April 2001 over Naseem Hamed.

Tapia, 35, is 52-2-1.

"Since I defeated Hamed my confidence has been very high," Barrera said, "but it has also made me hungrier. I know what is at stake each time I fight.

"I have enough incentive knowing that guys want to beat me now more than ever. That is why I train even harder and prepare even more seriously than ever before. Now I need to make sure I cover all my tracks (and) no detail is too small."

Barrera and trainer Rudy Perez moved their camp from Los Angeles to Big Bear, Calif., this past Sunday.