[Crimson]

Freeman Coliseum; San Antonio, TX
Saturday, July 4th, 1992
Robert Quiroga 20-2-1 (11) Texas IBF
vs.
Johnny Tapia 23-0-2 (12) Arizona
The 11,700 seat Freeman Coliseum was a complete sellout, as the fans of San Antonio were absolutely thrilled to come see hometown hero, Robert Quiroga, defend his IBF title vs the rising contender, Johnny Tapia. After going 2-2-1 (0) during the 4 round “Team Championship” matches, Quiroga was eager to resume fighting in 12 round battles.

- Quiroga seemed to get the better of Tapia in the first 2 rounds. In the 3rd it was all Tapia, as he successfully took the fight to the inside.

- In the 4th Quiroga’s left eye (8) had some significant swelling under way.

- Ringside expert, Jim Trunzo, had Quiroga in front after 5 rounds, 48-47.

- Quiroga fought a very defensive minded fight, and this led to several uneventful and difficult to score rounds. There was little to choose between the fighters in rounds 6-9.

- Ringside expert, Jim Trunzo, had Quiroga in front after 9 rounds, 87-84.

- Quiroga began to look tired in the 10th and suffered a cut to his forehead. Tapia was beginning to load up on his punches, understanding that he might be losing on the scorecards.

- A Tapia uppercut floored Quiroga in the 11th for the count of 4. With well over 2 minutes remaining in the round, Quiroga had to rely on all the tricks of the trade he knew in order to survive. Quiroga made it to the bell on very unsteady legs, after absorbing horrible punishment to the head and body. His left eye (11) was continuing to close.

- Tapia’s trainer, Jesse Reid, implored him to take it to Quiroga and do his best to knock out him out. The IBF title holder from San Antonio, had nothing left on his legs and was subsequently left with no other choice, but to stand and trade with Tapia.

- After taking a hard right hand to the temple, Quiroga fell to the canvas in a delayed reaction. Quiroga was up at 8, but looking ready to fall once again. Several Tapia right hands opened up a bad gash below the left eye. A solid right from Tapia caused Quirioga to momentarily take a count of 2, when he dropped to a knee, then almost as quickly popped back up. With the referee looking on closely, Quiroga managed to throw and land often eough to keep him from stopping it.

- Ringside expert, Jim Trunzo scored it for Tapia 116-114, the judges unanimously had it for Tapia 115-111, 115-111, and 116-109.
Johnny Tapia Wu12 Robert Quiroga (wins IBF title)

Robert Quiroga vs. Kid Akeem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7yuioR0s5s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-N9I...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrnoY...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOjtl...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6Fq_...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7vNi...eature=related

Robert Quiroga vs. Julio Borboa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2YyR...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sn06...eature=related

Johnny Tapia highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq_5ySy8dxI

Johnny Tapia vs. Danny Romero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph5jh...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0182-...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nXec...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qIj-...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZton...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoJ-P...eature=related