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Tuesday, April 17 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Johnny Tapia, a former junior bantamweight and bantamweight champion, has signed with promoter Don King two years after their first contract ended because of a violation. "I made more money with Don than I made with anybody, plus he takes me first class on everything," Tapia said Monday. "You don't have to look for Don – he's always there." Tapia made more than $1.5 million in purses and bonuses during his first hitch with King. Tapia, of Albuquerque, had signed a contract with King in 1997. That relationship ended in 1999 because the promoter violated an existing contract by not arranging Tapia's next bout within the stipulated 45 days. Details of the latest contract were not released. Tapia (49-2-2) also has a new trainer. James "Buddy" McGirt, a former junior welterweight and welterweight champion who trains several of King's fighters, has replaced Jesse Reid. "It wasn't any (problem) with Jesse," Tapia said. "I wanted to start boxing more, and Buddy McGirt was a great boxer." |