Héctor Luís Camacho Matías (May 24, 1962 – November 24, 2012), commonly known by his nickname "Macho Camacho", was a Puerto Rican professional boxer. Known for his quickness in the ring and flamboyant style, Camacho competed professionally from 1980 to 2010, and was a world champion in three weight classes. He held the WBC super featherweight title from 1983 to 1984, the WBC lightweight title from 1985 to 1987, and the WBO junior welterweight title twice between 1989 and 1992.
In a storied amateur career, Camacho won three New York Golden Gloves tournaments, beginning with the Sub-Novice 112 lbs championship in 1978. During his professional career, Camacho had many notable fights against some of the biggest names in boxing, defeating Rafael Limon, Jose Luis Ramirez, Edwin Rosario, Ray Mancini, Vinny Paz, Greg Haugen, Roberto Durán twice late in Duran's career, and knocking out Sugar Ray Leonard. He also fought Julio César Chávez, Félix Trinidad, and Oscar De La Hoya, among others.
BoxRec-style profile
- Birth name: Héctor Luis Camacho Matías
- Born: May 24, 1962 — Bayamón, Puerto Rico
- Died: November 24, 2012 — San Juan, Puerto Rico (aged 50)
- Nationality: Puerto Rican
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
- Reach: 67 in (170 cm)
- Stance: Southpaw
- Pro debut: Sep 12, 1980 (Win by PTS vs David Brown)
- Last bout: May 14, 2010 (Loss by UD vs Saúl Duran)
- Total rounds boxed: 673 (summed from the bout table below)
- Divisions: Super featherweight, Lightweight, Light welterweight, Welterweight
- KO percentage: 48.1% (38 KO wins in 79 wins)
- Titles held (major, with reign dates): WBC super featherweight title August 7, 1983 – 1984 (won the vacant title from Rafael Limón; defended against Rafael Solis, per the bout table, before the move to lightweight); WBC lightweight title August 10, 1985 – 1987 (won from José Luis Ramírez; defended against Edwin Rosario and Cornelius Boza-Edwards, per the bout table, before the move up in weight); WBO light welterweight title March 6, 1989 – February 23, 1991 (won the inaugural title from Ray Mancini; defended against Vinny Pazienza and Tony Baltazar; lost to Greg Haugen); WBO light welterweight title (second reign) May 18, 1991 (regained from Greg Haugen, per the bout table) — all dates per the bout table; late-career minor titles (IBC, NBA, WBE) are flagged inline in the bout table
Record at a glance
- Total bouts: 88
- Wins: 79
- Wins by KO: 38
- Losses: 6
- Losses by KO: 0
- Draws: 3
- No contests: 0
- Born: May 24, 1962 — Bayamón, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rican
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
- Reach: 67 in (170 cm)
- Stance: Southpaw
- Divisions: Super featherweight, Lightweight, Light welterweight, Welterweight
Fight-by-fight record
| No. | Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round/Time | Venue / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 12, 1980 | David Brown | Win | PTS | 4 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 2 | Dec 12, 1980 | Benny Llanos | Win | KO | 1 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 3 | Mar 12, 1981 | Herman Ingram | Win | UD | 6 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 4 | Mar 27, 1981 | Robert Johnson | Win | KO | 1 | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 5 | Apr 24, 1981 | Jerry Strickland | Win | KO | 2 (6), 2:40 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 6 | May 2, 1981 | Tomas Enrique Diaz | Win | UD | 6 | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 7 | May 16, 1981 | Kato Ali | Win | TKO | 7 (8), 2:37 | Concord Resort Hotel, Thompson, New York, U.S. |
| 8 | Jun 25, 1981 | Marcial Santiago | Win | UD | 8 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 9 | Jul 24, 1981 | Jose Figueroa | Win | KO | 1 (8), 0:43 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 10 | Sep 16, 1981 | Robert Mullins | Win | KO | 6 (10), 1:19 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 11 | Nov 5, 1981 | Anthony Murray | Win | UD | 10 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 12 | Dec 11, 1981 | Blaine Dickson | Win | UD | 12 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won NABF super featherweight title |
| 13 | Feb 15, 1982 | Jorge Nina | Win | UD | 8 | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 14 | Mar 31, 1982 | Rafael Lopez | Win | TKO | 3 (10) | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 15 | May 21, 1982 | Refugio Rojas | Win | TKO | 1 (12) | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained NABF super featherweight title |
| 16 | Jul 11, 1982 | Louis Loy | Win | TKO | 7 (10), 1:24 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 17 | Aug 28, 1982 | Johnny Sato | Win | TKO | 4 (10), 2:15 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 18 | Oct 30, 1982 | Melvin Paul | Win | UD | 10 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 19 | Nov 20, 1982 | Greg Coverson | Win | UD | 10 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| 20 | Feb 12, 1983 | John Montes | Win | KO | 1 (10), 1:13 | Buckner Fieldhouse, Fort Richardson, Alaska, U.S. |
| 21 | Apr 3, 1983 | Irleis Perez | Win | UD | 10 | Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| 22 | Aug 7, 1983 | Rafael Limón | Win | TKO | 5 (12), 2:52 | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBC super featherweight title |
| 23 | Nov 18, 1983 | Rafael Solis | Win | KO | 5 (12), 2:02 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico — ★ Title fight — Retained WBC super featherweight title |
| 24 | May 20, 1984 | Rafael Williams | Win | TKO | 7 (10), 2:19 | Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
| 25 | Jan 19, 1985 | Louis Burke | Win | TKO | 5 (10), 3:00 | Harrah's at Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 26 | Apr 29, 1985 | Roque Montoya | Win | UD | 12 | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant NABF lightweight title |
| 27 | Aug 10, 1985 | José Luis Ramírez | Win | UD | 12 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBC lightweight title |
| 28 | Dec 18, 1985 | Freddie Roach | Win | UD | 10 | ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| 29 | Jun 13, 1986 | Edwin Rosario | Win | SD | 12 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBC lightweight title |
| 30 | Sep 26, 1986 | Cornelius Boza-Edwards | Win | UD | 12 | Abel Holtz Stadium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBC lightweight title |
| 31 | May 2, 1987 | Howard Davis Jr. | Win | UD | 10 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 32 | Jun 25, 1988 | Reyes Antonio Cruz | Win | UD | 10 | TropWorld Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 33 | Oct 22, 1988 | Rick Souce | Win | TKO | 4 (10), 1:50 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| 34 | Mar 6, 1989 | Ray Mancini | Win | SD | 12 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won inaugural WBO light welterweight title |
| 35 | Jul 17, 1989 | Tommy Hanks | Win | UD | 10 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 36 | Nov 4, 1989 | Raul Torres | Win | UD | 10 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 37 | Feb 3, 1990 | Vinny Pazienza | Win | UD | 12 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBO light welterweight title |
| 38 | Aug 11, 1990 | Tony Baltazar | Win | UD | 12 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBO light welterweight title |
| 39 | Feb 23, 1991 | Greg Haugen | Loss | SD | 12 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Lost WBO light welterweight title |
| 40 | May 18, 1991 | Greg Haugen | Win | SD | 12 | Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBO light welterweight title |
| 41 | Aug 1, 1991 | Eddie VanKirk | Win | TKO | 4 (10), 1:03 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. |
| 42 | Sep 12, 1992 | Julio César Chávez | Loss | UD | 12 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For WBC light welterweight title |
| 43 | May 8, 1993 | Eric Podolak | Win | TKO | 5 (10), 0:26 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
| 44 | Jun 19, 1993 | Tom Alexander | Win | TKO | 7 (10) | Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S. |
| 45 | Dec 18, 1993 | Lee Fortune | Win | TKO | 1 (10), 1:22 | Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, Mexico |
| 46 | Jan 29, 1994 | Félix Trinidad | Loss | UD | 12 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For IBF welterweight title |
| 47 | May 3, 1994 | Franco DiOrio | Win | UD | 10 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. |
| 48 | Jun 9, 1994 | Craig Snyder | Win | UD | 10 | Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. |
| 49 | Sep 27, 1994 | Pat Lawlor | Win | UD | 10 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. |
| 50 | Nov 15, 1994 | Rusty Derouen | Win | TKO | 4 (10), 2:31 | Civic Center, Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| 51 | Jan 14, 1995 | Todd Foster | Win | TKO | 5 (12), 1:45 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant IBC welterweight title |
| 52 | Feb 28, 1995 | Luis Maysonet | Win | RTD | 7 (10), 3:00 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. |
| 53 | Mar 29, 1995 | Verdell Smith | Win | UD | 10 | Myrl H. Shoemaker Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| 54 | May 20, 1995 | Homer Gibbins | Win | UD | 12 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBC welterweight title |
| 55 | Jun 27, 1995 | Juan Arroyo | Win | RTD | 6 (10), 3:00 | War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| 56 | Aug 6, 1995 | Gary Kirkland | Win | TKO | 9 (12), 2:39 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBC welterweight title |
| 57 | Sep 28, 1995 | Tony Rodriguez | Win | UD | 10 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| 58 | Oct 11, 1995 | Richie Hess | Win | TKO | 4 (10), 2:59 | Hilton, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| 59 | Nov 7, 1995 | Danny Chavez | Win | UD | 10 | Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, New Cumberland, West Virginia, U.S. |
| 60 | Dec 9, 1995 | Lonnie Horn | Win | TKO | 6 (10), 2:35 | The MARK of the Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois, U.S. |
| 61 | Jan 16, 1996 | Sal Lopez | Draw | TD | 2 (12), 1:52 | War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBC welterweight title |
| 62 | Apr 11, 1996 | Wilbur Garst | Win | TKO | 7 (10), 2:27 | Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
| 63 | Jun 22, 1996 | Roberto Durán | Win | UD | 12 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant IBC middleweight title |
| 64 | Jul 11, 1996 | Craig Houk | Win | TKO | 2 (10), 2:12 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 65 | Aug 20, 1996 | Arturo Nina | Win | UD | 10 | Paramount Theater, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 66 | Oct 1, 1996 | Heath Todd | Win | TKO | 6 (10), 2:37 | War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| 67 | Mar 1, 1997 | Sugar Ray Leonard | Win | TKO | 5 (12), 1:08 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained IBC middleweight title |
| 68 | Sep 13, 1997 | Oscar De La Hoya | Loss | UD | 12 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For WBC welterweight title |
| 69 | Jun 12, 1998 | Tommy Small | Win | TKO | 6 (10) | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. |
| 70 | Aug 11, 1998 | Tony Menefee | Win | UD | 12 | Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant IBC light middleweight title |
| 71 | Oct 23, 1998 | Ken Sigurani | Win | SD | 10 | Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, New Cumberland, West Virginia, U.S. |
| 72 | Mar 19, 1999 | Scott Smith | Win | UD | 10 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. |
| 73 | Jun 18, 1999 | Patrick Goossen | Win | UD | 10 | Field House, Struthers, Ohio, U.S. |
| 74 | Oct 21, 1999 | Manuel Esparza | Win | TKO | 5 (10), 1:55 | Hilton, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| 75 | Nov 27, 1999 | Jorge Vaca | Draw | TD | 3 (12) | Carolina, Puerto Rico |
| 76 | Apr 8, 2000 | Bobby Elkins | Win | TKO | 5 (10) | Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| 77 | Jun 9, 2000 | Billy Fox | Win | UD | 10 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. |
| 78 | Jun 16, 2000 | Tim Bryan | Win | TKO | 5 (10) | Casino, Chippewas, Ontario, Canada |
| 79 | Feb 3, 2001 | Troy Lowry | Win | UD | 10 | Club Level, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| 80 | Jul 14, 2001 | Roberto Durán | Win | UD | 12 | Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won NBA super middleweight title |
| 81 | Jan 18, 2003 | Otilio Villarreal | Win | TKO | 9 (10) | Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S. |
| 82 | Apr 18, 2003 | Chris Walsh | Loss | TD | 6 (10), 3:00 | RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. — Split TD after a cut |
| 83 | Dec 5, 2003 | Craig Houk | Win | TKO | 3 (10), 0:25 | Seminole Casino, Immokalee, Florida, U.S. |
| 84 | Jul 3, 2004 | Clint McNeil | Win | UD | 10 | Beau Rivage, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. |
| 85 | Jul 9, 2005 | Raul Munoz | Win | UD | 10 | Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| 86 | Jul 18, 2008 | Perry Ballard | Win | TKO | 7 (12), 0:27 | Reliant Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBE (WPBF) middleweight title |
| 87 | May 9, 2009 | Yori Boy Campas | Draw | SD | 8 | DoubleTree, Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| 88 | May 14, 2010 | Saúl Duran | Loss | UD | 10 | Civic Center, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S. |
Titles & notes
Major title reigns (start–end): WBC super featherweight title August 7, 1983 – 1984 (won the vacant title from Rafael Limón; defended against Rafael Solis, per the bout table, before the move to lightweight); WBC lightweight title August 10, 1985 – 1987 (won from José Luis Ramírez; defended against Edwin Rosario and Cornelius Boza-Edwards, per the bout table, before the move up in weight); WBO light welterweight title March 6, 1989 – February 23, 1991 (won the inaugural title from Ray Mancini; defended against Vinny Pazienza and Tony Baltazar; lost to Greg Haugen); WBO light welterweight title (second reign) May 18, 1991 (regained from Greg Haugen, per the bout table) — all dates per the bout table; late-career minor titles (IBC, NBA, WBE) are flagged inline in the bout table
- Dec 11, 1981 vs Blaine Dickson: Won NABF super featherweight title
- May 21, 1982 vs Refugio Rojas: Retained NABF super featherweight title
- Aug 7, 1983 vs Rafael Limón: Won vacant WBC super featherweight title
- Nov 18, 1983 vs Rafael Solis: Retained WBC super featherweight title
- Apr 29, 1985 vs Roque Montoya: Won vacant NABF lightweight title
- Aug 10, 1985 vs José Luis Ramírez: Won WBC lightweight title
- Jun 13, 1986 vs Edwin Rosario: Retained WBC lightweight title
- Sep 26, 1986 vs Cornelius Boza-Edwards: Retained WBC lightweight title
- Mar 6, 1989 vs Ray Mancini: Won inaugural WBO light welterweight title
- Feb 3, 1990 vs Vinny Pazienza: Retained WBO light welterweight title
- Aug 11, 1990 vs Tony Baltazar: Retained WBO light welterweight title
- Feb 23, 1991 vs Greg Haugen: Lost WBO light welterweight title
- May 18, 1991 vs Greg Haugen: Won WBO light welterweight title
- Sep 12, 1992 vs Julio César Chávez: For WBC light welterweight title
- Jan 29, 1994 vs Félix Trinidad: For IBF welterweight title
- Jan 14, 1995 vs Todd Foster: Won vacant IBC welterweight title
- May 20, 1995 vs Homer Gibbins: Retained IBC welterweight title
- Aug 6, 1995 vs Gary Kirkland: Retained IBC welterweight title
- Jan 16, 1996 vs Sal Lopez: Retained IBC welterweight title
- Jun 22, 1996 vs Roberto Durán: Won vacant IBC middleweight title
- Mar 1, 1997 vs Sugar Ray Leonard: Retained IBC middleweight title
- Sep 13, 1997 vs Oscar De La Hoya: For WBC welterweight title
- Aug 11, 1998 vs Tony Menefee: Won vacant IBC light middleweight title
- Jul 14, 2001 vs Roberto Durán: Won NBA super middleweight title
- Jul 18, 2008 vs Perry Ballard: Won vacant WBE (WPBF) middleweight title
Photo: Bill Apter via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).
Record source: Wikipedia professional boxing record table (cross-checked against the bout list), retrieved 2026-11-03.
