GOODBYE TO HECTOR “MACHO” CAMACHO

Plans for a New York Burial This Weekend

As the boxing world learned, Hector “Macho” Camacho passed away on Saturday, November 24 after being shot in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on Tuesday, November 20.

For four long days and nights, the fight universe and social media followed every minute of the ever-changing updates culminating in his tragic death at the age of 50.

Now Camacho will be laid to rest with burial plans currently being currently scheduled. As of today, it looks like the Boricua boxer will be buried in New York with special viewings and mass this week. Family friend Eddie Montalvo gave me an update just this morning with plans pending between the “Macho” man’s native Puerto Rico and New York.

“Hector is being laid to rest in New York City on Sunday. He will be viewed Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” Eddie said, mentioning that plans are still in the works as we speak. “Things changed and services may be at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. The World Boxing Council (WBC) will also be doing an homage.”

When I first learned of the shooting, I hoped for the best in hoping the former WBC and WBO champ would pull through. The driver of the car, Adrian Mojica Moreno, was also killed in the drive-by. It was a roller coaster of emotions for his family, friends and fans as it was reported that Hector was hit with fatal gunshot wounds resulting in cardiac arrest with later news that he was breathing only with the help of machines. In the end, his mother Maria Matias was faced with the heartbreaking decision of pulling him off of life support after doctors declared him brain dead. Camacho’s mom, sisters, sons, former trainers and fighters all raced to be with him during his last hours. Used to seeing him ringside, his close core now were forced to sit bedside as the champ’s health quickly faltered.

During this time, close friend and confidante Montalvo kept me updated as he traveled to Puerto Rico to be with the fading fighter who amassed a record of 79-6-3 with 38 KOs during his illustrious career. The ex-titlist’s son, Hector Camacho Jr. is also a professional prizefighter. And “Tio” Eddie plans on continuing his close bond with Hector’s sons. “I will be accompanying my nephews Justin Camacho, 22, Christian “MC” Camacho, 19; Tyler, 14, is staying with his mom Amy Torres Camacho.”

Boxing vet Montalvo has known Camacho since he was just a toddler and considered Hector to be family. The Tampa resident is considered an uncle to Hector’s sons and is understandably rocked by the passing of the ex-champion who faced everyone from Roberto Duran to Sugar Ray Leonard to Oscar De La Hoya, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Rafael “Bazooka” Limon and so many others.

“This is another tragedy in the boxing community,” Eddie told me before departing for the islands. “Our worst fears were realized; I’m never gonna hear his voice again.”

There would be no miracle. Ever the fighter, Camacho succumbed to his wounds in the days following the shooting. No arrests have been made.

The slugger from Spanish Harlem was an amateur Golden Gloves champ before making his showstopping entrance into the pros. “Macho” was known for his flashy persona, brash personality and, unfortunately, for his demons outside the ring. He was no saint and it’s no secret of his brushes with the law for various offenses. But as a fighter, the fans came to love the boxer with the curl in the middle of his forehead, the humongous gold pendant proclaiming “MACHO” and for his outrageous walkouts. And for his skills in on the canvas that made him a multiple world champion.

Hector Camacho had swag before the kids coined it “swag.”

AND NOW HE IS GONE…

I had the chance to interview the Puerto Rican southpaw whose last fight was in Florida in 2010. He had a lot of plans on the horizon as he hoped to rekindle the excitement he had left in the ring. He was outspoken, funny and still seeking the limelight. In later years, Camacho appeared on reality shows and kept in the public eye.

“He was going back and forth from Miami to Puerto Rico a lot,” his compadre Eddie explains. “He was on the ‘El Gordo y La Flaca’ show.”

With well-documented problems of drug abuse, burglary, a previous shooting incident and assault listed, his friend would like the boxing world to remember the ex-champ for his contributions inside the ropes.

“Yes, he had a big mouth but personal problems aside, please remember him for what he gave in the ring,” Eddie implores.

I last saw Hector last December in Las Vegas. He was at the World Boxing Council’s 49th Annual WBC Convention. The former world titleholder looked pretty much the same–the spitcurl hanging above his eyes, the heavy necklace shining bright and soaking in the fans’ attention which made him smile.

Cameras followed the athlete as he filmed his reality show and applause was loud when Camacho was introduced in the ring by Jose Sulaiman and Mauricio Sulaiman.

With his demons always following him, Hector “Macho” Camacho may have been a shell of his former boxing self. But he was still a popular face in the crowd, still talking the talk, still mustering up a healthy dose of machismo and swagger he was known for.

Sadly, on Saturday the final bell sounded for the slick showman.

Another boxing champ gone too soon.

FOREVER “MACHO TIME”!

Descanse en Paz. REST IN PEACE, CAMPEÓN.

Photos courtesy of Michele Chong and Eddie Montalvo