Would you marry Hector “Macho” Camacho?
Boxer Oscar De La Hoya, right, battles Hector Camacho during their match at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 13, 1997. De La Hoya took every round on his way to winning an unanimous decision. Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport
Héctor Camacho (born May 24, 1962), nicknamed “Macho Camacho,” is an ex-boxer of Puerto Rican decent who has had more ups and downs than anyone I know. In a nutshell (no pun intended), he’s been intolerable and has had a scandalous past.
At one time, he was one of the greatest boxers of his era and the first fighter to ever win in seven different weight divisions.
Born in Puerto Rico, his family soon moved to New York to live in Spanish Harlem. He ran into trouble there as a teen, getting into fights and landing in jail at 15 for auto theft and served three and a half months in a New York prison. After learning boxing and karate as a teen, he won three New York State Golden Gloves Championships.
As you can see from this photo taken by Ken Levine/Allsport at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 15, 1991, Hector "the Venetian Blind Man" Camacho never gave up his bid to be a trend setter, the guru of high fashion.
After his stellar amateur career, he began his quick rise through the professional ranks, first in the featherweight and then in the Junior lightweight division.
In 2011, Camacho became a TV personality by participating in Univision’s Hispanic #1 TV Network show “Mira Quien Baila” becoming a reporter for their morning and celebrity entertainment shows “Despierta América” and “El Gordo y la Flaca.” As a Hispanic entertainment icon his phrases “Macho Time” and “Segudo” have become his trademark.
“Es..Macho Time” will be a new celebrity reality show hosted entirely on the NuevOn YouTube channel featuring the retired world-champion premiering April 15, 2012. The program’s introduction begins by explaining Camacho, who is on the verge of turning 50, has it all: fame, fortune, and the admiration of his legions of fans. Yet there’s something missing in his life: Love.
Taped in Miami, Las Vegas and Puerto Rico, the program follows his adventures as the network people try to transform him into the perfect catch for the woman of his dreams. Camacho and his entourage will do anything to win over the lady of his dreams, the mate he’s always lost in the past. With 10 rounds of etiquette lessons, dating strategies, makeovers and tips from other celebrities, they plan to make him the most eligible bachelor in the world. Talk about Mission Impossible.
Only if they give this jerk a new brain could someone, anyone, believe such a transformation is possible. His inglorious past can not be swept under a rug. A one word description of this man’s demeanor: “maniacal.”
On September 13, 1997, George Diaz of the Las Vegas Sentinel wrote the following article about Camacho: “Camacho: ‘I’m Just Retarded’” The Orlandoan’s Antics Often Are Offensive And Juvenile, But Some Laugh With – As Well As At – Him.
All the accolades of the past have been cluttered by a rap sheet for drug use, altercations outside the ring and a chaotic personal life. Camacho insists that marriage and the demands of fatherhood have been a stabilizing influence, yet he maintains a wacky attitude that hardly reflects a man of maturity.
March 1,1997: Hector 'Macho' Camacho heads toward the ring for a bout against Sugar Ray Leonard in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Roman Soldier won the fight with a TKO in the fifth round. Photo: Al Bello /Allsport
At a news conference this week, he lightly head-butted undercard fighter Raul Marquez, threw grapes at him, questioned his sexuality in vulgar terms and posed for photographers while wearing a purple tank-top.”
Camacho has had several brushes with the law involving drugs, his driving habits, and domestic abuse. Dec. 22, 2004, a warrant was issued for Camacho, for a November burglary of a computer store. While arresting him in January 2005, police say they found Ecstasy.
In a written statement around the time of his arrest, Camacho apologized for the break-in, which caused nearly $13,000 in damage and losses at the ZDI Computer Center in Gulfport.
Camacho had bought a laptop from the business but left it there for work on technical problems. He was trying to retrieve his computer and was “crazy” on tequila, he said, when crawling through the ceiling of office space he shared with this computer company.
Wayne Woodall, the store owners’ attorney, claimed Camacho fell through the ceiling and left with seven laptops and about $5,600 in checks and cash.
On July 9, 2005 he returned to the ring in Tucson, Arizona to beat Raul Muñoz by decision after ten rounds. A small riot ensued, both inside and outside the ring and old rival, Julio Cesar Chavez had to be escorted out of the arena by security.
The newly distributed “ES…MACHO TIME” sizzle reel
Although not launching until April 15, audiences can subscribe for additional show information and trailers. Knowing the society we now live in, I can see the long lines of female suitors forming; the ones that soon wrap around a building. As a warning to these young gold diggers, beware.
The say anything is possible on TV but this could take the cake. This could be the biggest stretch ever; more outlandish than the stunts performed on “Jackass” and as difficult a transformation as seen on “The Biggest Loser.”
Hector 'Macho' Camacho arrives at the Premio Lo Nuestro at La Musica Latina at the American Airlines Arena on February 16, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Photo: John Parra/Getty Images
Say you are a female and of the marrying age. You’re very much interested in meeting the right man for the sole purpose of settling down to raise a family. If your parents or older brother came to you and suggested you start dating Hector Camacho, the prototype of the guy every older brother should warn their little sister about, then you might want to run away from home.
On the other hand, if you were one of the skanks who thought the rapper Flavor Flav was a catch, then maybe this nutcase is the man for you.
