ALBUQUERQUE -- Boxer Johnny Tapia, who recently announced he was retiring from the ring, has been hospitalized after an apparent suicide attempt, according to a report by television station KOAT.

The Albuquerque television station reported late Thursday that Tapia's wife and trainer, Teresa Tapia, confirmed that the boxer was being treated following a suicide attempt.

According to KOAT, Teresa Tapia said the incident happened this week. She would not say where her husband was being treated.

But in an interview late Thursday with the Albuquerque Journal, she would not confirm the television report.

"He's battling severe depression. He has suicidal tendencies. I won't say anymore than that," she told the newspaper.

The Tapias, who have a home in Las Vegas, Nev., and one near Ruidoso, N.M., did not immediately return telephone messages left by The Associated Press late Thursday.

Tapia announced earlier this month that he was quitting the ring.

"I've had my last fight," he said during an interview with theAlbuquerque Journal. "I'm not going to fight again."

Tapia recently signed with Don King Productions and fought for him in June in Las Vegas, scoring a third-round knockout of Cesar Soto (53-9-3) of Juarez, Mexico.

Tapia's record is 50-2-2, the losses coming in decisions to Paulie Ayala in the last two years. Tapia felt he was cheated both times.

"I'm tired of everything ... that goes on outside the ring. I don't want to do it no more," he told the Journal.

Two years ago, after his first loss to Ayala, Tapia went into depression and was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. He was institutionalized twice.

Tapia turned pro in March 1988 after a successful amateur career that included stints with the U.S. National Team.

His first professional fight ended in a four-round draw, but he won his next 29 bouts -- 18 with knockouts -- before fighting to a draw again.

Tapia won the WBO junior bantamweight title in October 1994, and defended it nine times.

The biggest fight of his career came in July 1997, when he scored a unanimous decision over hometown rival Danny Romero to win the IBF junior bantamweight title.

He moved up to bantamweight and won the WBA title in December 1998. He lost that belt to Ayala in their first fight.

He won the WBO bantamweight title in January 2000 but vacated it when he decided last year to move up in weight class.