Hector Camacho’s condition worsens; could be taken off life support

A friend of boxer Hector “Macho” Camacho says the former world champion’s condition has worsened and he could be taken off life support.

Camacho was shot in the face Tuesday in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. A friend with him was killed. Doctors initially said the boxer was in critical condition but was expected to survive.

Ismael Leandry, a friend of Camacho’s, told the Associated Press that doctors are waiting for Camacho’s mother to decide whether he should be taken off life support.

No arrests have been made in the shooting.

Camacho, 50, had 88 pro bouts, going 79-6-3 against a who’s-who of legendary opponents stretching from Ray Mancini (whom he defeated in 1989) to Oscar De La Hoya (who beat him by decision in 1997).

“My heart and prayers go out to him and his family,” De La Hoya said Tuesday night. “I really do hope he makes it out OK.”

“When he was young, you couldn’t hit him, that’s why he won his first 50 fights,” veteran boxing publicist Bill Caplan said.

Yet when Camacho suffered his first loss in a 1991 World Boxing Organization lightweight title bout against Greg Haugen at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, his true nature shined.

“You’d think the guy would be devastated, but 15 minutes after the loss, he was back in press row for the second fight of the HBO doubleheader, shaking everyone’s hands,” Caplan said. “Just a happy-go-lucky guy who loved people.”

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