Hector “Macho” Camacho’s final fight is officially over. Brain dead and being kept alive by machines, the beloved boxer was taken off life support by his family this morning. He expired a few short hours later, ending a life that touched incredible, world championship highs and sad, incarcerated lows.
Camacho was born fifty years ago in Puerto Rico and moved to Spanish Harlem when he was a boy. The rough neighborhood introduced him to many of the addiction and violence problems that followed him throughout the rest of his life, but the area also played home to his earliest boxing lessons. By the mid-80s, he was winning world titles and headlining boxing pay per views.
Earlier this week, he and a friend were tragically gunned down in Puerto Rico. Several bags of cocaine were found near the scene, but it’s unclear whether the slayings had anything to do with drugs. Doctors did all they could to save Camacho, but by the time he got to the hospital, he was brain dead.
According to ESPN, the attack was a complete surprise to the victims, but beyond that, authorities haven’t released many details about the case. Given the high profile of Camacho, it’s likely police will devote plenty of resources to finding justice for the fighter.
Pop Blend’s sincerest thoughts go out to Camacho’s entire family as they try to get over his upsetting loss. He might be gone, but the memory of his achievements and his loveable, flamboyant personality will live on for generations.
