Héctor Camacho facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Héctor Camacho
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 (born May 24, 1962), known as "Macho" Camacho, was a famous Puerto Rican professional boxer. He was known for being super fast in the boxing ring and for his exciting, flashy style. Camacho boxed professionally from 1980 to 2010.

He became a world champion in three different weight classes. He held the WBC super featherweight title, the WBC lightweight title, and the WBO junior welterweight title twice.

Before turning pro, Camacho had an amazing amateur career. He won three New York Golden Gloves tournaments. As a professional, he fought many big names in boxing. He beat Roberto Durán twice and knocked out Sugar Ray Leonard. He also faced other boxing legends like Julio César Chávez, Félix Trinidad, and Oscar De La Hoya.

Later in his life, Camacho also became a popular TV personality. He appeared on Spanish-language reality television shows. These included the dancing show Mira Quien Baila and a weekly segment called "Macho News" on El Gordo y La Flaca.

Early Life and Amateur Boxing

Héctor Camacho was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. His parents were Héctor Luis Camacho Sr. and María Matías. He was one of five children. When he was three years old, his parents separated. His mother moved with the children to New York City. They lived in a place called the James Weldon Johnson housing project in Spanish Harlem.

Camacho went to local schools there. A language teacher named Pat Flannery helped him a lot. Mr. Flannery taught him to read and was like a father figure to him. When Camacho started learning boxing and karate as a teenager, Mr. Flannery helped him get into the Golden Gloves competitions. Camacho showed great talent in boxing and decided to make it his career.

Golden Gloves Champion

As an amateur boxer, Camacho won three New York Golden Gloves Championships.

• In 1978, he won the 112 lb Sub-Novice Championship.
• In 1979, he won the 118 lb Open Championship.
• In 1980, he won the 119 lb Open Championship.

He also won the Intercity Golden Gloves in 1980, beating Orlando Johnson from Chicago. Camacho finished his amateur career with an impressive record of 96 wins and only 4 losses in 100 fights.

Why "Macho"?

There are different stories about how Camacho got his famous nickname "Macho".

• His father said he gave him the nickname because he was his youngest son.
• The New York Times reported that his mentor, Pat Flannery, gave him the name when he was a teenager.
• Camacho himself said that American co-workers at a factory couldn't say his last name easily, so they called him "Macho".

Professional Boxing Career

After a fantastic amateur career, Camacho quickly rose through the professional boxing ranks. He started in the featherweight division and then moved to junior-lightweight. He was so confident that he believed he could beat world champions like Salvador Sánchez.

Becoming a Super Featherweight Champion

The World Boxing Council (WBC) declared their world junior lightweight championship empty. This happened because the champion, Bobby Chacón, would not come to Puerto Rico to fight Camacho. So, Rafael Limón, a former champion, fought Camacho for the vacant title. This was Camacho's first time fighting a former world champion. Camacho knocked Limón down late in the third round and twice more in the fifth round. The referee then stopped the fight, and Camacho won his first world title!

Camacho defended his title in San Juan against fellow Puerto Rican Rafael Solis. He knocked out Solis in the fifth round to keep his title.

Moving Up to Lightweight

Camacho then moved up to the lightweight division. He won the United States Boxing Association title by beating Roque Montoya. His next big fight was shown on Home Box Office (HBO). Camacho beat the Mexican world champion, José Luis Ramírez, in Las Vegas. He won the WBC world Lightweight championship by a unanimous decision after 12 rounds. This made him a two-time world champion.

On June 13, 1986, Camacho fought former WBC lightweight champion Edwin Rosario at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This fight was very exciting because both boxers had strong moments. Camacho won the close fight by a split decision, keeping his title. He also defended his title against Cornelius Boza-Edwards in Miami.

Light Welterweight Champion

Camacho moved up in weight again. He fought Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, a former world lightweight champion, for the vacant WBO Light Welterweight title. Camacho won this fight by a split decision after 12 rounds. This made him a world champion in three different weight divisions, a very special achievement!

He then defended his title against Vinny Pazienza and Tony Baltazar, winning both fights. However, his undefeated streak ended when he lost his world championship to Greg Haugen. A rematch was ordered, and Camacho won back the title in a very close fight.

In 1992, Camacho fought Julio César Chávez, a Mexican champion who had never lost a fight (81-0). Camacho entered the ring wearing an outfit based on the Puerto Rican flag. Chávez won the fight by a unanimous decision.

After 1992, Camacho had more important fights. He beat Roberto Durán twice. In 1997, he knocked out Sugar Ray Leonard in five rounds. This fight caused Leonard, who was 41, to retire from boxing for good.

Later Career

Camacho also fought for the World Welterweight Championship against Félix Trinidad (1994) and Oscar De La Hoya (1997). He lost both of these matches.

He continued to box until 2010. His last two fights were a draw against Luis Ramón Campas and a loss to Saúl Duran.

Death

On November 20, 2012, Camacho was shot while sitting in a car in Bayamón. The driver, his childhood friend, was killed. Camacho was seriously wounded and taken to the hospital. He was officially declared dead after a heart attack on November 23, 2012.

He was survived by his parents, his sons, two grandsons, his brother Félix, and his sisters Raquel, Estrella, and Esperanza. Many people, including Puerto Rico's former governor, remembered Camacho for his exciting personality and how he united the country.

Funeral and Burial

After Camacho's death, his mother wanted him to be buried in New York City, where he grew up. His son, Hector Camacho Jr., agreed to his grandmother's wishes.

Before being taken to New York, Camacho's body was shown to the public in Santurce. Hundreds of people came to pay their respects. Many famous boxers from Puerto Rico and other places attended the funeral services. They included Félix "Tito" Trinidad, Wilfred Benítez, and Wilfredo Gómez.

Camacho was buried on December 1, 2012, in Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx. A parade was held in his honor in East Harlem. Two white horses pulled a carriage with his casket, which was covered with a Puerto Rican flag.

Investigation Update

Almost ten years later, in March 2022, the Department of Justice of Puerto Rico arrested five suspects in connection with Camacho's death.

Legacy and Honors

Many sports journalists and boxing experts have praised Camacho's skills and his impact on boxing. Some believe he was among the "Top 5 Puerto Rican boxers" of all time. He was called a "complete fighter" and someone who "revolutionized boxing."

Ed Brophy, director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, said Camacho brought a lot of excitement to boxing. He was known for his colorful entrances to the ring and his unique costumes. Brophy also said Camacho was an "exciting fighter, and one of the greats" who faced the best boxers.

Alfredo R. Martínez of ESPN Deportes noted Camacho's flashy style. He said Camacho was one of the first boxers to enter the ring with extravagant costumes and bright clothes, often to the rhythm of pop music.

In December 2015, Camacho was voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was officially inducted in June 2016, becoming a permanent part of boxing history.

Several books have been written about Camacho's life, including Macho Time: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of Hector Camacho by Christian Giudice. His son, Hector Camacho Jr., also wrote a comic book called "Macho Dad," where Camacho is shown as a superhero.

Family Life

Camacho had four sons. His oldest son, Héctor "Machito" Camacho Jr. (born in 1978), also became a professional boxer and won a championship.

Camacho married Amy Torres in 1991. They had three sons: Justin, Christian, and Tyler. His youngest son, Tyler, is also a boxer, just like Camacho's brother, Felix Camacho. Camacho and Amy Torres divorced in 2001.

Popular Influence

During his most famous years, Camacho became a big part of popular culture. He appeared on TV shows like Telemundo's Super Sábados, where he performed a musical sketch called "Macho Time." He also appeared in the sitcom The Wayans Bros., playing a boxer named Manuel "Hot Pepper" López.

Camacho was mentioned in books, TV shows, and music. Rapper Lil Wayne even referred to Camacho in his 2008 song "Mr. Carter".

After he retired from boxing, Camacho became an even bigger TV personality. In 2010, he was on ¡Mira Quien Baila!, which is like Dancing with the Stars. He later joined the Univision show El Gordo y La Flaca as a TV critic. In 2012, Camacho starred in a dating game show called It's Macho Time.

Professional Boxing Record

Pay-per-view Bouts

See also

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