Héctor Luís Camacho Matías, commonly known by his nickname "Macho" Camacho, was a Puerto Rican professional boxer and entertainer who died with an estimated net worth of $100 000. He was the first boxer to be recognized as a sevenfold champion after becoming world super featherweight, lightweight, and junior lightweight champions, as well as winning minor titles in four other categories. Camacho was known for his speed and agility in the ring and his grandiose style during his 30-year career.

Camacho was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, to Héctor Luis Camacho Sr. and his wife María Matías. He was the youngest of five siblings, with a brother named Felix and three sisters named Raquel, Estrella, and Esperanza. His parents divorced when he was three, and his mother moved to New York City with the children. They lived in Spanish Harlem's James Weldon Johnson housing project. Camacho went to local schools and got into trouble as a teen, getting into fights on the street and ending up in jail at the age of fifteen. Pat Flannery, a high school language teacher, aided the young man by teaching him to read and acted as his father figure. Flannery guided Camacho to the Golden Gloves competitions when he was a teenager learning boxing and karate. Camacho chose boxing as a career after demonstrating talent as a boxer.

The origins of Camacho's nickname "Macho" have been debated. His father gave him the nickname because he was his youngest son, according to him. Pat Flannery, according to the New York Times, is the one who gave him the nickname when he was in his teens. Camacho's nickname could also have come from American coworkers at a factory who couldn't pronounce his last name, according to the late boxer himself.

Camacho won three New York Golden Gloves Championships as an amateur. Camacho won the 112-pound Sub-Novice Championship in 1978, the 118-pound Open Championship in 1979, and the 119-pound Open Championship in 1980. Camacho won the championship in 1979 by defeating Paul DeVorce of the Yonkers Police Athletic League in the finals, and in 1980 by defeating Tyrone Jackson in the finals. Camacho won the Intercity Golden Gloves in 1980, defeating Chicago's Orlando Johnson. Camacho finished his amateur career with a total of 100 fights, 96 wins, and only four losses.

He is the first septuple champion in the history of professional boxing. During his professional boxing career, Hector Camacho has held several titles, including WBC Super Featherweight Champion in 1983, WBC Lightweight Champion in 1985, and Junior Welterweight Champion in 1989 and 1991. In September 1997, he competed for the WBC welterweight title against Oscar De La Hoya for a $3 million payout, the largest of his career. Camacho, who was a step behind De La Hoya's signature quickness at the time, and unfortunately lost. De La Hoya, who had hoped to be the first to knock Camacho out by KO, had to settle for being only the second fighter to do so, winning by decision.  The late boxer fought Sugar Ray Leonard for  $2 million in March 1997 and won. Craig Houk, Yori Boy Campas, and  Roberto Durán were some of his famous opponents in the boxing ring. Saúl Duran was his last opponent in a match in 2001, which he lost.

Unfortunately, Hector Camacho was involved in a shooting incident while sitting in his car outside a bar in November 2012. He passed away four days later after his mother ordered that his life support be turned off after the doctor declared him brain dead. His mother and siblings asked that he be buried in New York, and he was. He is remembered by his family and friends in the boxing community including his son Hector jr, who is also a boxer following in his footsteps.

SOURCES: Celebrity Net Worth, USAtoday, Insight.org, Celebrity Net Worth 123, Encyclopedia, Vault

This article was updated on March 31, 2021 by Vanessa Shumbanhete

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