Hector Camacho has died this morning in San Juan, Puerto Rico following a shooting earlier this week. Camacho and a friend were shot while sitting in a parked car outside a bar this past Tuesday.
There were initially reports that Camacho had been pronounced dead right after the shooting, but those were quickly followed by reports that the bullet had not entered Camacho's brain and that he was expected to survive. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse and Camacho was declared brain dead and eventually taken off life support.
Camacho will be best remembered for his flashy personality and fights with Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and his biggest rival Julio Cesar Chavez.
There will be better Hector "Macho" Camacho tributes written by men much more capable than me over the coming days and weeks.
So instead, I'll just leave you with this. One of the most memorable moments of a proud career:
Doctors now say that Hector "Macho" Camacho, who was shot yesterday in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, is showing intermittent brain activity, and will be tested again tomorrow morning at 6 am local time.
Primera Hora said that he's showing 3-4% brain activity, and hasn't been ruled as "brain dead" yet. Camacho is said to have undergone changes "more negative than positive," but the 50-year-old champion is still fighting.
Julio Cesar Chavez spoke with ESPN Deportes, saying that Camacho is "a great friend," and that even though they were rivals in boxing, he considers Camacho possibly the best friend he has of all the fighters he faced throughout his career.
Chavez defeated Camacho in 1992, winning a wide decision with the WBC junior welterweight title at stake.
We'll have more updates when there is anything available on the situation. Again, our thoughts and best wishes are with the family, friends, and loved ones, as well as Hector Camacho himself.
Despite reports that he was expected to pull through, Hector Camacho's condition has worsened after last night's shooting in Puerto Rico, and the star fighter is now on life support.
After hearing the news of Hector Camacho's life threatening gun shot injuries I felt compelled to convey to the world why I'm pretty sure he'll make the International Boxing Hall of Fame some day. Let's see if you agree.
Former three-division world champion Hector Camacho has been shot in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and early reports are that he has a minimal chance of survival.
