Highway to nowhere. Hector "Macho" Camacho. Hector Camacho died last week Problems with the law
Former world champion in three weight categories Hector Camacho died after a gunshot wound in Puerto Rico. Alexei Sukachev talks about the hard way of a boxer who never showed his genius to the world in full.
Is it possible to call a person who became world champion four times in three weight categories (not counting an unthinkable number of minor titles), who defeated (twice) Roberto Duran, and the only one who knocked out Sugar Ray Leonard, a loser who never fully realized his talent? Rhetorical question, you say? But not in the case of Puerto Rican Hector Camacho, nicknamed "Macho" ...
Recalls popular HBO analyst Max Kellerman: “When people talk about the greatest disappointments – not in the history of boxing, but in the history of sports in general – Mike Tyson is always the first name that comes to mind and is the first one heard in any such conversation. But Hector Camacho is next to Mike. Not in the sense of his character, but in what he could achieve, but never achieved. Max continues: “He had an outstanding talent, the talent of the best boxers in the history of our sport. No, no, not in the history of any weight, but in the history of boxing in general. Of course, he was a troublesome fellow. In Spanish Harlem (the area of New York where Camacho moved from Bayamon as a teenager) he "spread", stealing cars - he generally had huge problems with the law. But he is a good guy - he just got into this environment, and it gradually dragged him in. But it was not she who ruined him, not her ... But he could become a symbol of the 80s, and the 90s too, to be in the place of Roy Jones and Oscar De La Hoya. He had a powerful talent, and physically he was gifted simply monstrously. He was a unique athlete. Michael Katz once said that Camacho is the greatest talent he has ever seen. Michael knows what he's talking about."
“He had an outstanding talent, a talent on par with the best boxers in the history of our sport.”
Camacho started to fight professionally at 18 after a long (and successful) career not only in amateurs and at the same time in other types of martial arts, but also in much tougher street fights. Hector grew by leaps and bounds, almost imperceptibly moving from fights with professional losers to fights with the same (though what kind of "such"?!) young talents, like himself. In the 12th fight he became the champion North America(NABF) in the first lightweight, and this was not an accident, but a pattern. Camacho of those times combined swipe with outstanding technique and great reflexes. “Before Floyd (Mayweather) came along, I thought Camacho was the greatest fighter in the history of this weight class. Many include all the fast techies in one group, but with "Macho" this trick did not work: he was head and shoulders more agile than all of them put together. At 59 kilograms (weight limit), it was simply impossible to touch him.”
Hector soon got on television, his popularity went far beyond New York. This arrogant but skilled guy was a spectacle, a real curiosity that gave people everything that is essential in boxing. One round was enough for him to deal with the dangerous Refugio Rojas. Even less went to John Montez: Camacho missed with a left jab, grabbed Montez's head for a second with his right, ducked it and loaded a powerful left uppercut - only veterans had previously shown such a combination of dirt and skill.
From October 1982 to April 1983, Camacho defeated four opponents with a cumulative track record of 95 wins with one defeat, and in August of the same year, defeating ex-world champion Rafael Laimon, the Puerto Rican became the WBC world champion. One defense, and a jump to a new weight, where Camacho Sr. showed himself in full bloom , having defeated in August 1985 on points the most experienced and very strong Mexican Jose Luis Ramirez (90-5 at the time of the fight) - after this fight he entered the top five P4P according to a number of prestigious publications. There was less than a year left before the champion's collapse, although he did not know about it, preferring to let go barbs to other champions and contenders.
On June 13, 1986, Camacho faced another outstanding and very hard hitting Puerto Rican, Edwin Rosario, in the first defense of the WBC lightweight belt he won against Ramirez. The fight was even, but at the 45th second of the 5th round, Rosario shipped a powerful left hook, from which Hector was driven, and he swam until the end of the round. In the 11th, Rosario repeated this trick (this time with a deuce of a hook and a cross), but Camacho again survived and lived to see the final gong. He won that fight by split decision, but no one ever saw the former "Macho" in the ring.
From October 1982 to April 1983, Camacho defeated four opponents with a combined track record of 95 wins and one defeat.
“It was a real drama,” again the word to Max Kellerman, “If you think about it, it was the best victory in Camacho's career. He fought an outstanding puncher, a future 4-time world champion, who was at the peak of his form. He survived in a situation in which no one else would have survived. But she broke it. That firm aggressiveness, that courage and fury with which he fought, disappeared completely and irrevocably. He became a coward in the ring, became a spoiler, a boxer for whom safety is above all (safety-first fighter). Macho Time came to an end, and his spirit just evaporated "...
For those who don't know, 50-year-old Hector, who has been boxing for 30 years in a row with almost no really long downtime, last time stepped into the ring just two years ago. On May 14, 2010, he lost on points to the “young” (37 years old!) Mexican Saul Duran. This defeat was the sixth for him, but "Macho" has never been knocked out by anyone in the ring. Break this warrior someone managed only with lead, but Camacho kept this blow until the last.
Hector Camacho (Puerto Rico)
Years of life: 1962 - 2012
Macho)Return to welterweight and super welterweight
After defeating nab Leonard, Hector met with american star, Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC welterweight title, De La Hoya dominated the entire fight and sent Hector to the canas in the 9th round. The Puerto Rican nevertheless got up, and was able to hold out until the final gong. Camacho lost devastatingly on points.
After a total of 88 fights on professional ring, Hector Camacho has never lost ahead of schedule.
Problems with law
Store robbery 2005
On January 6, 2005, Camacho was arrested by police in Gulfport, Mississippi on charges of trying to rob an electronics store while under the influence of ecstasy. In 2007, he pleaded guilty and admitted to using drugs during the crime. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison, but the sentence was reduced to one year of probation and 14 days in a colony.
2011 Camacho attacks
In 2011, he became the victim of an attack by criminals. Camacho was shot three times with a pistol, but he did not sue them.
Child abuse charge
In November 2011, at the Florida State Office, a lawyer signed an arrest warrant for Camacho for child abuse. He was charged with assaulting and injuring his own teenage son at his home with ex-wife Camacho in March 2011. Camacho surrendered to Florida authorities in April 2012. After sending a fine of $5,000, he was released.
2012 shooting and death
On November 20, 2012, around 7 pm, Camacho was shot to death with a single shot to the jaw in his hometown of Bayamon, (Puerto Rico). A number of news agencies reported that Camacho, 50, was sitting in the passenger seat of a friend's car and was shot by unidentified assailants from a passing SUV. The driver of the car, Adrian Mojica Moreno, a childhood friend of Camacho, was killed during the attack. Camacho was taken to the San Pablo Hospital in Bayamón, where he is reported to be in critical condition. The police reported that the van was found with 9 bags of cocaine in it.
The bullet pierced the left side of Camacho's jaw, and broke the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae, this caused damage to the carotid artery which limited blood flow to the brain. At first, the doctors announced that Camacho had a good chance of surviving but could be paralyzed, but after he suffered an overnight cardiac arrest, they said his brain activity was very low. The next morning they announced that he was brain dead. Hector Camacho was officially declared dead after suffering a heart attack the following day, and was taken off the ventilator.
Links
- Camacho, Hector Track record
Today we remember the ex-world champion in three weight categories, Puerto Rican boxer Hector Camacho, who died last week.
The list of professional boxers who have been shot and killed last week was replenished with another big name. This time, the 50-year-old ex-world champion in the first light, light and first welterweights became the victim of the bandits. Hector "Macho" Camacho, who entered the history of boxing as one of its most prominent representatives from the "Island of Champions" - Puerto Rico. On November 20 at 7 pm local time in Camacho's hometown of Bayamone, unknown assailants fired at a Ford Mustang car in which the former world champion was sitting in the passenger seat from a passing SUV.
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Hector Camacho (79-6-3, 38 KOs)
Achievements: WBC Lightweight Champion (1983-1984), WBC Lightweight Champion (1985-1987), WBO Light Welterweight Champion (1989-1991, 1991-1992).
Statistics of fights for the title of world champion: 9-4, 2 KOs.
Hector's childhood friend driver vehicle Yamil Alberto Mojica also came under fire and died of gunshot wounds on the spot. Camacho was taken in critical condition to a local hospital.
The bullet pierced Camacho's left jaw and fractured the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae, causing damage to the carotid artery that limited blood flow to the brain. At first, doctors predicted that Hector would survive, but could be partially paralyzed. But after a cardiac arrest that night, doctors said that Camacho's brain cells had begun to die and the prognosis for his survival was poor. A day later, the doctors stated that the brain of the ex-champion was clinically dead. After that, his relatives decided that Ector's body was disconnected from life support systems. Only the eldest son was against this - Hector Camacho Jr., who is also a professional boxer, but far from being as successful as his father was.
Hector Luis Camacho Matias was born on May 24, 1962 in the city of Bayamon, in the northern part of the island of Puerto Rico. In family Hector Luis Camacho Sr. and Maria Matias he was the youngest of five children, causing his father to nickname him "macho". The parents then made the typical Puerto Rican decision to move in search of a better life to New York. Hector Jr. was distinguished by a restless and mischievous, and at times even a wild and insane disposition from childhood. Problems with the law that he faced back in adolescence haunted him all his life. Hector was fond of boxing and karate, which was fashionable at that time, but in the end he still preferred the ring, deciding that boxing would be his vocation. In the late 1970s, Camacho won many Golden Gloves tournaments of the most different levels, after which, having settled on an amateur record of 96 wins and only 4 losses, he decided at the age of 18 to switch to professional boxing.
Having very quickly established himself as a skillful, and most importantly, a bright fighter, Camacho quickly began to move up the "career ladder". Three years after his pro debut, the undefeated prospect entered his first world title fight. In August 1983, Camacho's opponent in the fight for the vacant WBC world lightweight title was the recently two-time world champion, the popular Mexican fighter Rafael Limón, nicknamed Bazooka. The latter was knocked down in the 1st and 3rd rounds and was eventually stopped in the 5th three-minute period. After one defense of this title, Camacho decided to move to the next - lightweight, where he became the WBC world champion, defeating another famous Mexican fighter in August 1985 - the current world champion at that time. Jose Luis Ramirez.
Then Camacho, in a non-title fight, defeated the now famous coach on points, and then the stubborn contender Freddie Roach. And here is the first defense of the WBC lightweight title against a compatriot, future member of the Boxing Hall of Fame Edwina Rosario became, perhaps, the first truly tough test in her career for a talented minion of fate. The opponents staged an amazing battle, as the battle progressed, the initiative passed from one fighter to another. In the end, Camacho still won by a split decision, but after the bashing received in this fight, Hector was never the same. In the sense that he changed his careless and, to a certain extent, reckless style and henceforth boxed much more carefully and prudently, preferring to work mainly in the counterpuncher style.
Hector Jr. was distinguished by a restless and mischievous, and at times even a wild and insane disposition from childhood. Problems with the law, which he faced as a teenager, haunted him all his life.
In a fight with the latter in March 1989, Hector won the WBO world title and, thus, entered the club of selected boxers who became world champions in three weight categories. Camacho suffered his first defeat only in his 39th pro fight - a split decision from another future member of the Boxing Hall of Fame, a skilled white American Greg Hogen. But already in the next fight, Hector took revenge on the offender, regaining the WBO world title in lightwelter.
In September 1992, Camacho entered the ring against one of the coolest fighters at that time, regardless of weight, the legend of Mexican boxing. Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., achievement list which totaled 81 victories and not a single defeat. Their fight was broadcast on the PPV pay-per-view system on Showtime, and was organized by the most influential promoter in the world at that time, Don King. Hector entered the ring in his traditional extravagant attire, which even himself could envy Nazim Hamed, and in every way mischievous and flaunted. But as soon as the fight began, the ardor of Camacho was immediately cooled by the hard pressure of the powerful Mexican. Chavez simply crushed the Puerto Rican, almost non-stop chasing him from the first to the last minute of the fight. As a result, the victory on points in an absolutely one-sided duel went to the formidable Aztec.
In fact, this defeat broke Camacho. After him, he never became the world champion according to the versions of the leading organizations, although he met with many more famous fighters. A year and a half later, in January 1994, Hector was declassed by his compatriot, the rising superstar of world boxing, Felix Trinidad, after which he began to beat various journeymen and clubfighters. Camacho won and held the world title in the minor IBC version, first in the welterweight and then in the middleweight division. Then he switched to superstar oldies, defeating the legends of the past Roberto Durana and Sugar Ray Leonard, and for the latter he became the one who finally sent him into retirement. Well, in September 1997, he himself became a victim of a young superstar - Oscar de la Hoya, losing to him on points in an absolutely one-sided duel.
Then Camacho again switched to beating clubfighters and outright middle peasants. In July 2001, for some reason, a rematch with Roberto Duran was organized, from which sand was already pouring. Hector not only won a boring 12-round fight, but also forced the legendary Panamanian to leave the ring for good, as he had done with Sugar Ray Leonard before. In the 2000s, Camacho's problems with the law worsened. He then left the ring, then again for some reason returned to it, until in May 2010, on the eve of his 48th birthday, he lost on points to the Mexican Saulu Duran. This fight was the last for Hector. Thus, in none of his 88 pro fights, Camacho was stopped ahead of schedule.
AT last years Hector began to successfully build a career in television. It all started with participation in the popular reality show "Dancing with the Stars", which was broadcast on the American Spanish-language channel Univision. True, Camacho flew out there in the first round. But thanks to his bright, imposing behavior, which has always distinguished him both in the ring and in life, Hector began to participate in entertainment programs this TV channel as a presenter and critic.
In recent years, Hector began to successfully build a career in television. It all started with participation in the popular reality show "Dancing with the Stars", which was broadcast on the American Spanish-language channel Univision. True, Camacho flew out there in the first round. But thanks to his bright, imposing behavior, which has always distinguished him both in the ring and in life, Hector began to participate in the entertainment programs of this TV channel as a presenter and critic.
In March this year Camacho became the protagonist of a reality show called Macho, in which a group of girls competed to be Hector's girlfriend. In general, we can say that Camacho had every chance to become the same popular TV star as he was in the ring. But problems with the law still haunted him.
Back in January 2005, Hector was arrested by the police on charges of attempted robbery of an electronic goods store and possession of drugs. In 2007, Camacho pleaded guilty to burglary. He was facing 7 years in prison, but the judge ultimately limited himself to a suspended sentence. Unfortunately, in recent years, drugs and alcohol have become constant companions of Hector's life. In February 2011, for the first time, he was fired on by unknown people, but then he was lucky - the bullets missed him. However, the dashing and unlucky character of Macho Camacho soon appeared already in
dealing with your offspring. Hector was accused of abusing his younger son, whom he hit with his hand, and when he fell, he also trampled on him. Then he got off with bail, but in the near future he expected a judicial review of this case, which threatened to put him behind bars for a decent period. However, with his death, everything was resolved. Hector Macho Camacho will be buried, most likely, not in Puerto Rico, but in his second homeland - in New York.
Macho )Return to welterweight and super welterweight
After defeating Leonard, Hector faced American star Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC welterweight title, De La Hoya dominated the entire fight and sent Hector to the canvas in the 9th round. The Puerto Rican nevertheless got up, and was able to hold out until the final gong. Camacho lost devastatingly on points.
Problems with law
Store robbery 2005
On January 6, 2005, Camacho was arrested by police in Gulfport, Mississippi, on charges of attempting to rob an electronics store while under the influence of ecstasy. In 2007, he pleaded guilty and admitted to using drugs during the crime. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison, but the sentence was reduced to one year of probation and 14 days in a colony.
2011 Camacho attacks
In 2011, he became the victim of an attack by criminals. Camacho was shot three times with a pistol, but he did not sue them.
Allegations of child abuse
In November 2011, the Florida State Attorney issued an arrest warrant for Camacho for child abuse. He was accused of assaulting and beating his own teenage son in his home along with ex-wife Camacho in March 2011. Camacho surrendered to Florida authorities in April 2012. After posting a $5,000 bail, he was released.
2012 shooting and death
On November 20, 2012, around 7 pm, Camacho was shot to death with a single shot to the jaw in his hometown of Bayamon, (Puerto Rico). A number of news agencies reported that Camacho, 50, was sitting in the passenger seat of a friend's car and was shot by unidentified assailants from a passing SUV. The driver of the car, Adrian Mojica Moreno, a childhood friend of Camacho, was killed during the attack. Camacho was taken to the San Pablo Hospital in Bayamón, where he is reported to be in critical condition. The police reported that the van was found with 9 bags of cocaine in it.
The bullet pierced the left side of Camacho's jaw and fractured the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae, causing damage to the carotid artery that limited blood flow to the brain. At first, the doctors announced that Camacho had a good chance of surviving but could be paralyzed, but after he suffered an overnight cardiac arrest, they said that his brain activity was very low. The next morning it was announced that he was brain dead. Hector Camacho was officially declared dead following a heart attack the following day and off the ventilator.