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Héctor Camacho
Hector Camacho 2009.jpg
Camacho in 2009
Statistics
Real name Héctor Luis Camacho Matías
Nickname(s) Macho
Rated at
  • Super featherweight
  • Lightweight
  • Light welterweight
  • Welterweight
  • Light middleweight
  • Middleweight
  • Super middleweight
Height 5 ft 7 in
Reach 67 in
Born (1962-05-24)May 24, 1962
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Died November 24, 2012(2012-11-24) (aged 50)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights 88
Wins 79
Wins by KO 38
Losses 6
Draws 3

Héctor Luís Camacho Matías (May 24, 1962 – November 24, 2012), commonly known by his nickname "Macho" Camacho, was a Puerto Rican professional boxer and entertainer. Known for his quickness in the ring and flamboyant style, Camacho competed professionally from 1980 to 2010, and was a world champion in three weight classes. He held the WBC super featherweight title from 1983 to 1984, the WBC lightweight title from 1985 to 1987, and the WBO junior welterweight title twice between 1989 and 1992.

In a storied amateur career, Camacho won three New York Golden Gloves tournaments, beginning with the Sub-Novice 112 lbs championship in 1978. During his professional career, Camacho had many notable fights against some of the biggest names in boxing, defeating Roberto Durán twice late in Duran's career, and knocking out Sugar Ray Leonard to send him into permanent retirement. He also fought Julio César Chávez, Félix Trinidad, and Oscar De La Hoya, among others.

During his later years, Camacho expanded his popular role and appeared on a variety of Spanish-language reality television shows including Univision's' dancing show Mira Quien Baila and a weekly segment on the popular show El Gordo y La Flaca, named "Macho News".

On November 20, 2012, Camacho was shot and seriously wounded while sitting in a car outside a bar in his native Bayamón; the driver, a childhood friend, was killed in the shooting. Camacho died four days later. His remains were transported to New York for burial at the request of his mother.

Early life and amateur career

Camacho was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, to Héctor Luis Camacho Sr. and his wife María Matías. He was the second youngest of five children, which included a younger brother, Felix and sisters Raquel, Estrella, and Esperanza. When he was three, his parents separated, and his mother took the children with her to New York City. They lived in the James Weldon Johnson housing project in Spanish Harlem. Camacho attended local schools. Pat Flannery, a language teacher in high school, helped the youth, teaching him to read and "acting like a father figure". When Camacho learned boxing and karate as a teenager, Flannery guided him to the Golden Gloves competitions. Demonstrating talent as a boxer, Camacho chose that sport as a career.

As an amateur, Camacho won three New York Golden Gloves Championships. Camacho won the 1978 112 lb Sub-Novice Championship, 1979 118 lb Open Championship, and 1980 119 lb Open Championship. In 1979 Camacho defeated Paul DeVorce of the Yonkers Police Athletic League in the finals to win the title, and, in 1980, Camacho defeated Tyrone Jackson in the finals to win the Championship.

In 1980 Camacho won Intercity Golden Gloves, defeating Orlando Johnson of Chicago.

Camacho completed his amateur career, having a hundred fights under his belt, with 96 wins, and 4 losses.

Camacho's nickname of "Macho" has been explained in various ways. According to his father, he gave him the nickname because he was his youngest son. According to the New York Times, his mentor Pat Flannery is the one who gave him the nickname during his teens. According to Camacho himself, the nickname came as a result of American co-workers at a factory who couldn't pronounce his last name.

Amateur Highlights

Camacho's major achievements in the amateur boxing:

  • 1 1978 New York Golden Gloves Flyweight Sub-Novice Champion
  • 1 1979 New York Golden Gloves Bantamweight Open Champion
  • 1 1979 Intercity Golden Gloves 119-Pound Champion
  • 1 1980 New York Golden Gloves Bantamweight Open Champion
  • 1 1980 Intercity Golden Gloves 125-Pound Champion

Professional career

After a stellar amateur career, Camacho began a quick rise through the professional rankings, first in the featherweight and then in the junior-lightweight division. He was so confident that he claimed he could beat world featherweight champions Salvador Sánchez and Eusebio Pedroza. However, Sánchez died while Camacho was still coming up in the ranks. In the junior-lightweight division, he defeated the top contenders Irleis Cubanito Perez, Melvin Paul, John Montes, and Refugio Rojas.

Super featherweight

When the World Junior Lightweight champion, Bobby Chacón, refused to go to Puerto Rico to defend his title against Camacho, the World Boxing Council (WBC) declared the world championship vacant. Rafael Limón, who had been defeated and lost the championship to Chacon, fought Camacho for the vacant title. It was the first time Camacho was in a ring with a former world champion; he scored a knockdown on Limón late in the third round and twice more in the fifth round before the referee stopped it.

Camacho also fought his first defense in San Juan, where he met Rafael Solis, a fellow Puerto Rican. He knocked out Solis with a right to the chin in round five, and retained the title.

Lightweight

Moving up to lightweight, Camacho won the United States Boxing Association title against Roque Montoya with a twelve-round decision. His victory in the next fight, broadcast on Home Box Office (HBO), made him a two-time world champion. Camacho beat the Mexican defending world champion, José Luis Ramírez in Las Vegas to win the WBC world Lightweight championship. Camacho dropped Ramirez in round three and won the fight by a unanimous twelve-round decision.

The two other reigning world champions in his division at that time, Livingstone Bramble and Jimmy Paul, were reluctant to unify the crown with Camacho. Instead, he beat Freddie Roach before his next fight of importance came along, ten months after beating Ramírez.

He met former WBC lightweight champion Edwin Rosario on June 13, 1986, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, a bout also broadcast on HBO. The fight was notable for the shifts of dominance between the men. Camacho dominated rounds one to four, but had to hang on in rounds five, six and seven, when he felt Rosario's power. He came back to take rounds eight and nine, but Rosario came back to take the last three rounds. It was a close fight, but Camacho retained the title by a split decision of the judges.

Camacho retained his title against Cornelius Boza-Edwards, a former world junior lightweight champion, in Miami in a unanimous decision, after dropping Edwards in the first round.

Light welterweight

He went up in weight and competed at the next level. After a few fights there, he met Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, the former world lightweight champion who had a record of 29–3 with 23 knockouts, for the vacant WBO Light Welterweight title. Camacho was the fresher of the two and won a split twelve-round decision. He joined that exclusive group of world champion boxers who have become world champions in three weight divisions.

Camacho next met Vinny Pazienza, whom he defeated on points. His next challenger was Tony Baltazar, from Phoenix. He defeated Baltazar by points in a fight televised by HBO. His undefeated streak came to an end, and he lost his world championship to Greg Haugen, the former world Lightweight champion. The referee had deducted one point from Camacho for refusing to touch gloves with Haugen at the start of the 12th round. After the fight, Haugen's medical tests were considered suspicious, and a rematch was ordered. Camacho regained the title, beating Haugen in a close split decision.

In 1992 in Las Vegas, Camacho met Julio César Chávez, a formidable Mexican champion who was undefeated 81–0. Camacho entered the ring in an outfit based on the Puerto Rican flag; the fight was televised by Showtime's Pay Per View. Camacho was later criticized by some in the boxing press for his retreating tactics during the fight; Chávez kept pushing the fight and harassed him with hard punches to the body. The bout ended with a victory for Chávez by unanimous decision.

Since 1992 Camacho's notable fights included two victories (by points) over Roberto Durán, (one in Atlantic City, the other in Denver). In 1997, he knocked out Sugar Ray Leonard in five rounds. This loss sent the forty-one-year-old Leonard into permanent retirement, putting an end to his third comeback attempt six years after a loss to Terry Norris in 1991.

Welterweight and later career

Camacho fought for the World Welterweight Championship against Félix Trinidad (1994) and Oscar De La Hoya (1997), but he lost both matches by unanimous decisions.

On December 5, 2003, Camacho faced Craig Houk. It was an odd fight, as Houk continuously turned his back on Camacho throughout the fight. Camacho had Houk in trouble in the first round before Houk caught an overzealous Camacho with a left hook and floored him, the third knockdown against him in his career. Camacho bounced back up and battered Houk for the remainder of the round. He knocked Houk near the end of the first and eventually won by knockout in round three. He won consecutive unanimous ten-round decisions over Clinton McNeil and Raúl Jorge Muñoz. After that, his boxing career went on hiatus, as he faced criminal charges, including burglary.

Camacho returned to boxing on July 18, 2008, competing against Perry Ballard for the World Boxing Empire's Middleweight Championship. The fight lasted seven rounds. Camacho won when Ballard's corner threw the towel. Before this fight, Camacho was trained by Angelo Dundee. His last two fights resulted in a draw and a loss, against Luis Ramón Campas and Saúl Duran, respectively. His last fight against Duran was on May 14, 2010.

Death

On November 20, 2012, around 7 p.m. AST, Camacho was shot while sitting in a car, on Puerto Rico Highway 167, in Bayamón. Camacho, 50, was seated in the passenger seat of a friend's Ford Mustang when he was shot by unknown individuals from a passing SUV. The driver of the car, Adrian Mojica Moreno, Camacho's childhood friend, was killed in the attack. Camacho was taken to San Pablo Hospital in Bayamón, where he was reported to be in critical condition.

Héctor Camacho was officially declared dead after a heart attack on November 23.

He is survived by his parents, his sons, two grandsons, his brother Félix and his sisters Raquel, Estrella and Esperanza. His oldest son, Hector Camacho Jr., said violence had overtaken Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico's former governor, Luis Fortuno, said "'Macho' will always be remembered for his spontaneity and charisma in and out of the ring." Puerto Rican governor-elect, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, said Camacho had "united the country"; "We celebrated his triumphs in the streets and we applauded him with noble sportsmanship when he didn't prevail." Asked how he wished his son to be remembered, his father said for his clowning around and that he was a happy person, that he had revolutionized boxing by how he was dressed upon entering the ring.

Funeral and burial

After Camacho's death, his mother, María Matías, expressed the wish for her son to be buried in New York City, where he had grown up and started his fighting career. Camacho's son Héctor Camacho Jr. thought he should be buried in Puerto Rico, but agreed to his grandmother's and aunts' wishes.

Before being taken to the mainland United States, Camacho's body lay in state at the Puerto Rico Department of Sports and Recreation in Santurce. During the two days Camacho's body was on viewing, hundreds of people visited the facilities to pay tribute to the fighter.

Dozens of retired and active boxers from Puerto Rico and abroad were among those who participated in the funeral services. Among them were Félix "Tito" Trinidad, Wilfred Benítez, Wilfredo Gómez, John John Molina, Samuel Serrano, Román "Rocky" Martínez, Juan Manuel López, Nelson Dieppa, Alex "El Nene" Sánchez, Julian Solís, Manny Siaca, and the brothers McWilliams and McJoe Arroyo. Trinidad was outspoken in praise for his former rival, saying Camacho "put Puerto Rico's flag up high, with a lot of pride like many other champions have done. He was very loved. You can see how everybody has suffered the loss of this great human being, a great champion." Trinidad regretted the circumstances of the fatal shooting.

Camacho was buried on December 1 in Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx. Before the burial, a parade was held in Camacho's honor in East Harlem. Two white horses pulled a hearse carriage up First Avenue surrounded by fans, friends and family of the late boxer. Camacho's casket was draped in a Puerto Rican flag. After a visitation and mass at St. Cecilia's Church on East 106th Street on November 30 and December 1, Camacho was buried on the afternoon of December 1, 2012, in Saint Raymond's Cemetery, Bronx in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx.

Aftermath and investigation

Almost ten years later, on March 9, 2022, the Department of Justice of Puerto Rico arrested five suspects. William Rodríguez Rodríguez, Luis Ayala García, and Joshua Méndez Romero were serving federal sentences for unrelated crimes, and were flown in from Florida as part of what police called "Operation Knockout." The fourth suspect, Jesús Naranjo Adorno, was arrested in morning hours in the same city where Camacho was killed, and the fifth suspect, Juan Luis Figueroa Rivera, remains in prison in Puerto Rico for an unrelated case. Authorities also stated that two other suspects were killed in 2013 and 2015, in unrelated events.

Legacy and honors

Several sports journalists, analysts, and experts from Puerto Rico and United States have praised Camacho's skills and influence in the boxing world. The journalist Rafael Bracero and Francisco Valcárcel, president of the World Boxing Organization, agreed that Camacho was among the "Top 5 Puerto Rican boxers" of all time, along with Félix "Tito" Trinidad, Wilfredo Gómez, and Wilfred Benítez. The boxing historian, Mario Rivera Martinó, praised Camacho, calling him a "complete fighter" in the Lightweight division. José Sulaimán stated that he "revolutionized boxing during his time".

Ed Brophy, director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, noted Camacho's talents in attracting an audience. He said, "Camacho brought a lot of excitement to boxing. He was bright, colorful, and always gave something to talk about with his walks to the ring, with his unique style of entering, and the costumes he wore." Brophy also praised Camacho's boxing skills, describing him as "an exciting fighter, and one of the greats. He faced the best, going up and down several divisions." Alfredo R. Martínez, senior editor of ESPN Deportes, also noted Camacho's flamboyant approach, saying that "if he wasn't the first, he was one of the firsts that entered the ring with extravagant costumes, feather crests, bright clothes, everything to the rhythm of some pop song".

Jaime Vega-Curry (deputy editor of ESPN Deportes), said Camacho was "a character that combined a contagious charisma, impressive boxing quality, a child's soul, a salesman's shrewdness, and a superlative confidence on himself and in the force of his 'Macho Time'"

Brophy noted Camacho would be eligible for the International Boxing Hall of Fame in December 2015. He added that "Camacho is part of boxing history, and that's what the International Boxing Hall of Fame is about."

Camacho, along with Lupe Pintor and Hilario Zapata, among others, was voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in December 2015 and was inducted in June 2016.

Noted boxing biographer Christian Giudice wrote a book about Camacho's life titled Macho Time: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of Hector Camacho, which was released on October 20, 2020 by Hamilcar Publications.

Hector's fiancée, Shelly Salemassi, published a book of their real life story called The Lady and the Ten Time World Champ, Going The Distance With Hector Macho Camacho, which was released on December 1, 2021 by Page Publishing. ISBN: 9781662434150

Marriage and family

Camacho had four sons, his oldest from an early relationship and three from his marriage. His eldest son, Héctor "Machito" Camacho Jr. (born 1978 in New York, when Camacho was 16), also became a professional boxer and has won a championship.

Camacho married Amy Torres in 1991, and they had three sons: Justin (born December 1, 1989), Christian (born 1992), and Tyler Camacho (born 1998). (The New York Times reports the youngest son's name as "Taylor".) In 1998 she obtained a restraining order against Camacho, alleging he had threatened her and one of their sons. They divorced in 2001. His youngest son, Tyler, is also a boxer, as was his brother, Felix Camacho.

In 2003, The Press and Guide of Dearborn, Michigan printed an engagement notice between Camacho and Shelly Salemassi, along with a photograph of the couple. Although they never married, the New York Post reported she was the only one of his former significant others to fly to Camacho's New York funeral.

Popular influence

During the peak of his career, Camacho became an icon in popular culture. He first appeared on Telemundo's Super Sábados, where he joined a musical sketch, "Macho Time", named after his catchphrase. During the 1990s, Camacho appeared in episodes of El Show del Mediodía, performing staged fights with Melwin Cedeño's character, Chevy, el Ponzoñú.

In 1992, Camacho invited Cedeño to sing a version with him of La Borinqueña before a fight, together with Pedro Guzmán, a fellow comedian/musician. The trio's publicity stunt drew strong criticism at the time. Camacho also appeared in the sitcom, The Wayans Bros., portraying Manuel "Hot Pepper" López. He staged a fight against the main character, Marlon "Suckerpunch" Williams (Marlon Wayans).

Due to his prominence, Camacho became the subject of cultural references in television, music and literature. Harry Mullan devoted a chapter to him, titled "It's Macho Time," in his The Book of Boxing Quotations (1988). In a 2003 episode of King of the Hill, titled "Boxing Luanne", the titular character Hank Hill remarks "Oh, I get it. A little flash… Like Héctor "Macho" Camacho". after placing tassels in the boxing outfit of Luanne Platter. Rapper Lil Wayne referred to Camacho and the professional wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage in his 2008 single, "Mr. Carter".

Following retirement, Camacho expanded his role as a television personality. In 2010, he took part in ¡Mira Quien Baila!, a reality show that is the American/Spanish-Speaking version of Dancing with the Stars. He was the first to be eliminated from the competition. Camacho later joined the Univision entertainment news program El Gordo y La Flaca as a Mira Quien Baila critic and entertainment world newscaster. In March 2012, Camacho starred on a dating game show titled It's Macho Time, where women competed to be his "girlfriend". Currently a written biography is being assembled by Emil "Rocco" Filerino, a lifelong friend and personal manager. Another biography, "Macho Time: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of Hector Camacho", by writer Christian Giudice, was published on October 20, 2020. In addition to those books, his son Hector Camacho, Jr. wrote a collaboration with author Dustin Warburton and illustrator Dan Monroe, a comic book named "Macho Dad" in which Camacho is portrayed as a son-carrying, Puerto Rican flag-wearing superhero. Macho Dad was released on September 1, 2014. Hector's fiancée, Shelly Salemassi, published a book of their real life story called "The Lady and the Ten Time World Champ, Going The Distance With Hector Macho Camacho", which was released on December 1, 2021 by Page Publishing (ISBN: 9781662434150).

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
88 fights 79 wins 6 losses
By knockout 38 0
By decision 41 6
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
88 Loss 79–6–3 Saúl Duran UD 10 May 14, 2010 Civic Center, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.
87 Draw 79–5–3 Yori Boy Campas SD 8 May 9, 2009 DoubleTree, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
86 Win 79–5–2 Perry Ballard TKO 7 (12), 0:27 Jul 18, 2008 Reliant Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S. Won vacant WBF (Foundation) International light middleweight title
85 Win 78–5–2 Raul Munoz UD 10 Jul 9, 2005 Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
84 Win 77–5–2 Clint McNeil UD 10 Jul 3, 2004 Beau Rivage, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
83 Win 76–5–2 Craig Houk TKO 3 (10), 0:25 Dec 5, 2003 Seminole Casino, Immokalee, Florida, U.S.
82 Loss 75–5–2 Chris Walsh TD 6 (10), 3:00 Apr 18, 2003 RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. Split TD after a cut
81 Win 75–4–2 Otilio Villarreal TKO 9 (10) Jan 18, 2003 Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.
80 Win 74–4–2 Roberto Durán UD 12 Jul 14, 2001 Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S. Won NBA super middleweight title
79 Win 73–4–2 Troy Lowry UD 10 Feb 3, 2001 Club Level, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
78 Win 72–4–2 Tim Bryan TKO 5 (10) Jun 16, 2000 Casino, Chippewas, Ontario, Canada
77 Win 71–4–2 Billy Fox UD 10 Jun 9, 2000 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
76 Win 70–4–2 Bobby Elkins TKO 5 (10) Apr 8, 2000 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
75 Draw 69–4–2 Jorge Vaca TD 3 (12) Nov 27, 1999 Carolina, Puerto Rico
74 Win 69–4–1 Manuel Esparza TKO 5 (10), 1:55 Oct 21, 1999 Hilton, Washington, D.C., U.S.
73 Win 68–4–1 Patrick Goossen UD 10 Jun 18, 1999 Field House, Struthers, Ohio, U.S.
72 Win 67–4–1 Scott Smith UD 10 Mar 19, 1999 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
71 Win 66–4–1 Ken Sigurani SD 10 Oct 23, 1998 Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, New Cumberland, West Virginia, U.S.
70 Win 65–4–1 Tony Menefee UD 12 Aug 11, 1998 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S. Won vacant IBC light middleweight title
69 Win 64–4–1 Tommy Small TKO 6 (10) Jun 12, 1998 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
68 Loss 63–4–1 Oscar De La Hoya UD 12 Sep 13, 1997 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For WBC welterweight title
67 Win 63–3–1 Sugar Ray Leonard TKO 5 (12), 1:08 Mar 1, 1997 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained IBC middleweight title
66 Win 62–3–1 Heath Todd TKO 6 (10), 2:37 Oct 1, 1996 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
65 Win 61–3–1 Arturo Nina UD 10 Aug 20, 1996 Paramount Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
64 Win 60–3–1 Craig Houk TKO 2 (10), 2:12 Jul 11, 1996 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
63 Win 59–3–1 Roberto Durán UD 12 Jun 22, 1996 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won vacant IBC middleweight title
62 Win 58–3–1 Wilbur Garst TKO 7 (10), 2:27 Apr 11, 1996 Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
61 Draw 57–3–1 Sal Lopez TD 2 (12), 1:52 Jan 16, 1996 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. Retained IBC welterweight title
60 Win 57–3 Lonnie Horn TKO 6 (10), 2:35 Dec 9, 1995 The MARK of the Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois, U.S.
59 Win 56–3 Danny Chavez UD 10 Nov 7, 1995 Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, New Cumberland, West Virginia, U.S.
58 Win 55–3 Richie Hess TKO 4 (10), 2:59 Oct 11, 1995 Hilton, Washington, D.C., U.S.
57 Win 54–3 Tony Rodriguez UD 10 Sep 28, 1995 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
56 Win 53–3 Gary Kirkland TKO 9 (12), 2:39 Aug 6, 1995 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. Retained IBC welterweight title
55 Win 52–3 Juan Arroyo RTD 6 (10), 3:00 Jun 27, 1995 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
54 Win 51–3 Homer Gibbins UD 12 May 20, 1995 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained IBC welterweight title
53 Win 50–3 Verdell Smith UD 10 Mar 29, 1995 Myrl H. Shoemaker Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
52 Win 49–3 Luis Maysonet RTD 7 (10), 3:00 Feb 28, 1995 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
51 Win 48–3 Todd Foster TKO 5 (12), 1:45 Jan 14, 1995 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won vacant IBC welterweight title
50 Win 47–3 Rusty Derouen TKO 4 (10), 2:31 Nov 15, 1994 Civic Center, Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49 Win 46–3 Pat Lawlor UD 10 Sep 27, 1994 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
48 Win 45–3 Craig Snyder UD 10 Jun 9, 1994 Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
47 Win 44–3 Franco DiOrio UD 10 May 3, 1994 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
46 Loss 43–3 Félix Trinidad UD 12 Jan 29, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For IBF welterweight title
45 Win 43–2 Lee Fortune TKO 1 (10), 1:22 Dec 18, 1993 Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, Mexico
44 Win 42–2 Tom Alexander TKO 7 (10) Jun 19, 1993 Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.
43 Win 41–2 Eric Podolak TKO 5 (10), 0:26 May 8, 1993 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
42 Loss 40–2 Julio César Chávez UD 12 Sep 12, 1992 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBC light welterweight title
41 Win 40–1 Eddie VanKirk TKO 4 (10), 1:03 Aug 1, 1991 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
40 Win 39–1 Greg Haugen SD 12 May 18, 1991 Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. Won WBO light welterweight title
39 Loss 38–1 Greg Haugen SD 12 Feb 23, 1991 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBO light welterweight title
38 Win 38–0 Tony Baltazar UD 12 Aug 11, 1990 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBO light welterweight title
37 Win 37–0 Vinny Pazienza UD 12 Feb 3, 1990 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBO light welterweight title
36 Win 36–0 Raul Torres UD 10 Nov 4, 1989 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
35 Win 35–0 Tommy Hanks UD 10 Jul 17, 1989 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
34 Win 34–0 Ray Mancini SD 12 Mar 6, 1989 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. Won inaugural WBO light welterweight title
33 Win 33–0 Rick Souce TKO 4 (10), 1:50 Oct 22, 1988 Bayamón, Puerto Rico
32 Win 32–0 Reyes Antonio Cruz UD 10 Jun 25, 1988 TropWorld Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31 Win 31–0 Howard Davis Jr. UD 10 May 2, 1987 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30 Win 30–0 Cornelius Boza-Edwards UD 12 Sep 26, 1986 Abel Holtz Stadium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Retained WBC lightweight title
29 Win 29–0 Edwin Rosario SD 12 Jun 13, 1986 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBC lightweight title
28 Win 28–0 Freddie Roach UD 10 Dec 18, 1985 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
27 Win 27–0 José Luis Ramírez UD 12 Aug 10, 1985 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Won WBC lightweight title
26 Win 26–0 Roque Montoya UD 12 Apr 29, 1985 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Won vacant NABF lightweight title
25 Win 25–0 Louis Burke TKO 5 (10), 3:00 Jan 19, 1985 Harrah's at Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 Rafael Williams TKO 7 (10), 2:19 May 20, 1984 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Rafael Solis KO 5 (12), 2:02 Nov 18, 1983 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC super featherweight title
22 Win 22–0 Rafael Limón TKO 5 (12), 2:52 Aug 7, 1983 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Won vacant WBC super featherweight title
21 Win 21–0 Irleis Perez UD 10 Apr 3, 1983 Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 John Montes KO 1 (10), 1:13 Feb 12, 1983 Buckner Fieldhouse, Fort Richardson, Alaska, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Greg Coverson UD 10 Nov 20, 1982 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Melvin Paul UD 10 Oct 30, 1982 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Johnny Sato TKO 4 (10), 2:15 Aug 28, 1982 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Louis Loy TKO 7 (10), 1:24 Jul 11, 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Refugio Rojas TKO 1 (12) May 21, 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NABF super featherweight title
14 Win 14–0 Rafael Lopez TKO 3 (10) Mar 31, 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Jorge Nina UD 8 Feb 15, 1982 New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Blaine Dickson UD 12 Dec 11, 1981 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. Won NABF super featherweight title
11 Win 11–0 Anthony Murray UD 10 Nov 5, 1981 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Robert Mullins KO 6 (10), 1:19 Sep 16, 1981 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Jose Figueroa KO 1 (8), 0:43 Jul 24, 1981 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Marcial Santiago UD 8 Jun 25, 1981 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Kato Ali TKO 7 (8), 2:37 May 16, 1981 Concord Resort Hotel, Thompson, New York, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Tomas Enrique Diaz UD 6 May 2, 1981 New York City, New York, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Jerry Strickland KO 2 (6), 2:40 Apr 24, 1981 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Robert Johnson KO 1 Mar 27, 1981 New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Herman Ingram UD 6 Mar 12, 1981 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Benny Llanos KO 1 Dec 12, 1980 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 David Brown PTS 4 Sep 12, 1980 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.

Pay-per-view bouts

Date Fight Billing Buys Network
September 13, 1997
De La Hoya vs. Camacho Opposites Attack 560,000 HBO

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Héctor Camacho para niños

  • List of Puerto Ricans
  • List of boxing triple champions
  • List of Puerto Rican boxing world champions
  • Notable boxing families
  • Sports in Puerto Rico
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Héctor Camacho Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.