An outstanding look at the life of ‘Macho’ Camacho
Macho Time - The Meteroic Rise and Tragic Fall of Hector Camacho, by Christian Giudice (Sportsbookofthemonth.com price £17, saving £2.99 on rrp)
WRITTEN by Christian Giudice, acclaimed biographer of Roberto Duran ( Hands of Stone), his latest book, Macho Time: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of Hector Camacho is equally violent, compelling, thrilling and tragic; it reads like Raging Bull with a twist.
Though Hector Camacho’s professional boxing record bears comparison with his peers – he was undefeated in his first decade as a pro and would later defeat the feared Duran (twice) as well as Sugar Ray Leonard – a long-standing drug addiction compromised his progress and contributed to his downfall.
It also ensured he was never considered a boxing ‘great’, despite being one of a select few who became world champion in three different weight divisions.
Talented, renowned for his flamboyance and as tough as teak, Comacho not only did the walking, he talked the talk too. Giudice quotes Leonard on the subject: “I thought I was cocky (but) Camacho surpasses me by three or four levels. When Camacho brags, he’s not trying to convince you of anything; he’s just telling you what’s going to happen.”
The youngest of five children, Camacho was born in Puerto Rico, moving with his mother, following his parents’ separation, to a New York housing project in Spanish Harlem. He arrived in the States aged three; by the age of 15, he was locked up in a juvenile correction facility.
It was a high school teacher, Pat Flannery, who recognised Camacho’s potential and actively encouraged his boxing; Hector would go on to win three New York Golden Gloves championships. His impressive amateur record (96 wins, four defeats) proved the foundation for a professional career which began in September 1980; he didn’t suffer a defeat until February 1991.
Away from the ring, ‘ Macho’ was a complicated character who, despite his flamboyance, enjoyed his own company. Regrettably, drug abuse effectively curtailed his career and prevented him from becoming one of boxing’s all-time superstars.
Just two years following his final professional bout, in what sounds like a violent movie scene, ‘Macho’ was shot while a passenger in a car on a Puerto Rican highway.
The gunfire came from a passing vehicle which sped away following the shooting.
Camacho’s friend Adrian Moreno was killed in the attack; police investigating the incident found nine bags of cocaine in the car. Camacho wasn’t killed outright but died of a heart attack several days later at the age of 50.
This is an outstanding, wellresearched book which should be read it before it transfers to the silver screen – as it surely will.