And Then He Just Fell Down Poem by Tom J. Mariani

'Former boxing world champion
Johnny Tapia was in critical condition
at a Los Vega hospital
after apparently falling at his home

and losing consciousness
early Saturday, hours after
he was charged with
possessing drug paraphernalia.

Tapia, a five -time world chanpion
with a history of problems with the law and drugs
had returned to his home in Las Vegas
after the confrontation with poilce

and was with his wife, Teresa,
when he fell
according to Trayce Zimmerman,
Tapia's publicist.

'(Teresa) said he felt depressed,
and then he just fell down
and lost consciousness.'
Zimmerman said.

Tapia,35 was placed
on a respirator and was
being treated for head trama
Zimmerman said. - Assiciated Press