Home Boxing News Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho

Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho

Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho

Written by Peter Van Leyden


Born in Puerto Rico, raised in the Spanish Harlem area of New York, this Hispanic boxer was a very skilful competitor with a good boxing brain that excelled in speedy footwork. He gradually adopted a style that was intent on avoiding getting hit as his career progressed, after an extensive amateur career that saw great success winning many titles including the New York golden gloves.

He turned professional starting out as a featherweight and after a few victories he moved into the junior lightweight division. He won his first world championship by defeating Rafael Lamon for the vacant WBC Junior lightweight belt before moving up to the lightweight division, and after winning the North American title he challenged the tough Mexican Jose Luis Ramirez who was the defending champion.

Camacho became a three time world champion defeating Youngstown’s Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini by way of a split decision for the WBC light welterweight championship. Camacho was involved in 2 fights with the tough pocket rocket styled Greg Haugen losing the first fight, apparently because Hector did not touch gloves at the beginning of the 12th round. It was reported that this fight would have ended in a draw otherwise. In the rematch Hector won his WBC light welterweight belt back by earning a close split decision over Haugen.

After this, Camacho lost a unanimous verdict in a well-publicised encounter in the desert, of Las Vegas, to the outstanding, legendary Mexican boxer/fighter Julio Cesar Chavez. Camacho’s career highlights included victories over the ageing 41 year old boxing veteran superstar Sugar Ray Leonard and a points victory over Panamanian legend Roberto “Hands Of Stone” Duran. Hector also challenged for the world welterweight championship on two occasions but lost both fights by verdict to boxing greats Oscar De La Hoya and fellow countryman Felix Trinidad. Camacho’s career also included wins against the late great Puerto Rican boxer Edwin “El Chapo” Rosario (who is also a boxing idol of mine), Jimmy Paul, Vinny Pazienza, Tony Baltizar, Livingston Bramble and hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach.

I think if Hector had less issues outside of the ring that included run-ins with the law it would be fair to suggest that Camacho would have gone on to greater things, however he will always be remembered for winning three world titles at different weights in a distinguished career.

{SQUARE} {SQUARE1} {SQUARE2}

{loadposition SQUARE3}