Ayala-Tapia Rematch Seeks Same Flair as the Original

Fight of the year?

This one didn’t even figure to be the fight of the night.

When Johnny Tapia and Paulie Ayala squared off in June 1999 at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center, there wasn’t much anticipation or interest from the general public.

Although it was listed as the main event, the Tapia-Ayala bout was being overshadowed by the big boys. The real big boys.

Nobody has ever accused Eric “Butterbean” Esch or Peter McNeeley of being skilled heavyweights. But their fight that night was at least intriguing. Had Butterbean actually stumbled into a real opponent? Could McNeeley actually fight?

Tapia, on the other hand, was best known for his dramatic moments outside the ring, where he has had numerous clashes with the law, suffered through drug abuse and lived with the horror of knowing both his parents were murdered.

Ayala was sometimes confused with Tony Ayala, the ex-convict attempting a boxing comeback after 16 years in prison.

But when the night was over last June, nobody was confused about who Ayala is. And nobody was talking about Butterbean-McNeeley, yet another in a line of farce fights for Esch.

Ayala and Tapia waged a battle that Ring magazine gave its “Fight of the Year” award. Tapia shoved Ayala during the prefight introductions and the action never stopped over the 12 rounds that followed.

When it was over, Ayala was the winner in a close but unanimous decision, stunning Tapia with his first loss in 49 fights to take Tapia’s World Boxing Assn. bantamweight title.

A frustrated Tapia, unaccustomed to the bitter feeling of defeat, lashed out in all directions, at the judges and even at his own promoter, Bob Arum.

It was the kind of fight that demanded a rematch.

Most people assumed it would happen quickly.

How foolish. This is boxing and this is Tapia.

Sure enough, it has taken 16 months to put together the rematch, which finally will take place tonight at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Hotel.

In the interim, the ever-volatile Tapia has been in a hospital for depression, has tried acting in a bit part and has switched trainers and promoters.

Just another year in what Tapia refers to as Mi Vida Loca, my crazy life.

He also found time to squeeze in a couple of title fights, defeating Jorge Julio in January to win the World Boxing Organization bantamweight title via decision, and then defending it in May with another decision against Pedro Torres.

Tapia enters the ring tonight at 48-1-2 with 25 knockouts.

“I’m just ready,” he said. “I’ve been waiting too long. [Ayala] gave me my first loss and I want to make up for it.

“I thought I won the first fight, but I’m just going to have to throw that out the door.”

Ayala (30-1, 12), as low key and businesslike as Tapia is volatile, has continued to win since June 1999, defending his title last October against Saohin Sorthanikul and then in June against Johnny Bredahl, both victories coming by decision.

The rematch negotiations were made trickier because Tapia no longer could make the 118-pound bantamweight limit, while Ayala had no interest in moving up in weight.

“When I fought Ayala the last time,” Tapia said, “I had to starve myself for a week just to make the weight. I survived on ice cubes.”

Ultimately, a compromise was reached.

Tonight’s fight is officially for the vacant International Boxing Assn. 126-pound featherweight title. But the two men agreed to a 124-pound limit.

Tapia weighed in Friday at 124, Ayala at 123.

If Tapia wins, the title will be his. If Ayala wins, it will remain vacant since he plans to retain his 118-pound title.

“I’m giving up a lot to fight him at 124 pounds,” Ayala said, “but I know who I am. I am doing this for the sport of boxing, the fans and to give him a chance. If he would have fought me on my terms, at my weight, he would have come out with excuses after the fight.”

No more excuses.

No more waiting because of weight.

Let the rematch begin.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Facts

* What: Vacant International Boxing Assn. featherweight championship.

* Who: Paulie Ayala vs. Johnny Tapia.

* Records: Ayala 30-1, Tapia 48-1-2.

* Knockouts: Ayala 12; Tapia 25.

* When: Tonight.

* Where: MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas.

* TV: Showtime, 10 p.m.