Camacho (proper) was too fast and artful for Ramirez. Photograph by The Ring Journal/ Getty Photos
A proficient boxer and a flashy performer within the ring, however even flashier exterior of it. “The Macho Man from the Spanish Harlem” was born on a day like as we speak in 1962.
Hector Luis Camacho Matias was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and was quickly transplanted to the New York “barrio” that he would in the future placed on the boxing map together with his colourful patois and his exuberant habits. After an explosive newbie profession during which he gained three New York Golden Gloves tournaments, he lastly made his transition to the professionals, and the legend of the Macho Man was born.
Making his debut in 1980, he amassed 21 straight wins earlier than clashing with former titlist Rafael “Bazooka” Limon for the WBC junior light-weight title left vacant by Bobby Chacon. He defeated Limon by stoppage and went on to make one protection earlier than leaping to light-weight and taking Jose Luis Ramirez’ WBC belt at that weight. A few defenses in opposition to Edwin Rosario and Cornelio Boza Edwards adopted, after which one other soar in weight had Camacho dealing with Ray Mancini for the inaugural WBO junior welterweight belt. Camacho gained by cut up resolution and went on to defend it in opposition to Vinny Pazienza and Tony Baltazar earlier than dropping it to Greg Haugen solely to regain it within the rematch.
In 1992, the 40-1 Camacho met his nemesis when he confronted Julio Cesar Chavez in one of many largest Mexico-Puerto Rico clashes ever. Camacho turned the combat into a grudge match together with his antics, and Chavez made it his enterprise to punish him for it, decisively beating Camacho on factors.
Camacho wore his “Massive Chief” outfit into the ring for his 1990 showdown with Vinny Pazienza. Photograph / The Ring Journal by way of Getty Photos
A few fights later, Camacho met his compatriot Felix Trinidad in a crossroads bout. In his absolute prime, Trinidad soundly defeated his paesano with a unanimous resolution that many noticed as the start of the top for the Macho Man. Removed from it, that combat was the mid-point of Camacho’s profession, and some notable achievements nonetheless laid sooner or later.
After a 19-0-1 run within the following three years that included a win over fellow all-time-great Roberto Duran, Camacho was matched with Sugar Ray Leonard in his much-publicized comeback. In a minor upset, Camacho stopped Leonard and successfully ended no matter was left of his desires to return to former glories.
In his subsequent combat, Camacho was matched with Oscar De La Hoya in a combat that was thought-about extra of a payday than an opportunity to redeem his profession. Camacho misplaced by resolution, and continued combating on and off for 13 extra years in a 17-1-2 run that included a win over Duran in a rematch and a draw in opposition to Yori Boy Campas. He referred to as it quits in 1990 with a document of 79-6-3 (38 knockouts) and the satisfaction of by no means dropping a combat by stoppage in his complete three-decade profession throughout 5 weight courses.
Later in life he grew to become a TV persona showing in quite a few reveals, but in addition making cameos within the occasional information broadcast for episodes associated to his nightly habits. He was concerned in a number of low-profile legal and misdemeanor instances within the US and Puerto Rico, however remained a beloved determine all through his many ordeals.
On November 20, 2012, Camacho was shot whereas sitting in a automobile exterior a bar in his native Bayamon, a suburb of San Juan. Though the driving force was believed to be the goal of the assault, Camacho was critically injured as effectively and succumbed to his wounds 4 days later when his mom requested his caretakers to take away him from life assist after he was declared clinically mind useless.
Considered one of his sons, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., was additionally a boxer.
Hector Camacho Sr. was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Hal of Fame in 2016.
Diego M. Morilla has written for The Ring since 2013. He has additionally written for HBO.com, ESPN.com and plenty of different magazines, web sites, newspapers and retailers since 1993. He’s a full member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and an elector for the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame. He has gained two first-place awards within the BWAA’s annual writing contest, and he’s the moderator of The Ring’s Ladies’s Rankings Panel. He served as copy editor for the second period of The Ring en Español (2018-2020) and is at present a author and editor for RingTV.com.
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