Tapia to Lose IBF Title Outside The Ring?

IBF featherweight champion Johnny Tapia is on the verge of being stripped of that title due to his refusal to ask for an exception from the sanctioning body to fight Marco Antonio Barrera in November. To even request such an exception (to face a non-mandatory foe such as Barrera), requires a substantial fee, a fee not refundable even if the IBF refuses the request to sanction the fight.

Said Tapia's wife and manager Teresa in a statement released today, "The IBF thinks Johnny should pay them a nonrefundable fee to consider allowing this fight? Then, if they approve, they'll take a percentage of Johnny's purse.


Well thanks for that. What is there to think about? The IBF seems to be the only one who has to think about it. HBO, The MGM, Johnny, Marco and, most importantly, the fans all agree that this is going to be an epic battle of warriors. The IBF needs to be paid to think about it?"

Adds Tapia, who won the title from Manuel Medina in April, "I don't need the IBF to tell me that I'm a Champion. My ring record proves it. I want this fight. Barrera wants this fight. But most importantly, the fans want this fight. The IBF can keep their belt. This fight is for the fans."

When Tapia is indeed stripped (it has not been made official as of yet), Medina and number one contender Juan Manuel Marquez will battle for the vacant crown. - Gerbasi

Yeah they want 25.000 for the right to fight.He should dump the belt.Who cares the fight fans know who the real champs are.

"I don't need the IBF to tell me that I'm a Champion. My ring record proves it. I want this fight. Barrera wants this fight. But most importantly, the fans want this fight. The IBF can keep their belt. This fight is for the fans."

Perfect!