Camacho show a hit inTucson!

July 11, 2005

By Riley Henry

Saturday night in Tucson, AZ, Hector "Macho" Camacho Sr. and Hector "Macho" Camacho Jr. were both victorious in action-packed bouts that captivated the audience and even seemed to tap into the crowds' raw emotion. Camacho Jr. entered the ring wearing a cowboy hat, and trunks that were fashioned to look like cow printed chaps while he rode into the arena on the back of a large fake bull.

The eccentricity of the Camachos has always been their trademark and evidenced by the responses of the entire audience of over 5,000 which were a consortium of cheers and jeers. Camacho Sr. entered the arena to the same type of response from the audience, but one thing certain is that all eyes were on Camacho. It seems that even with recent inactivity, the Camacho name still has the power to garner interest, curiousity and rouse the public into making the event a "must see" show.

Inside the dressing room just before the fight Camacho Sr. was in great spirits, smiling, dancing to music and appeared to be as relaxed as someone who has the experience of 86 professional fights would expect to be. Camacho Jr. also was in a great mood and seemed extremely relaxed, confident and ready as his hands were being wrapped. He smiled for the camera's and listened attentively as referee Nico Perez explained the fight instructions for the bout.

After the bell rang marking the end of the 10th round of Camacho Sr's bout with Raul Munoz, the two fighters engaged in a tussle that sparked a short melee inside the ropes with both corners rushing in to break up the tangle. Just after, some members of the audience began throwing full cups of beer at the ring as many members of the security surrounded J.C. Chavez and escorted him out of the arena.

After the raucous inside the arena had calmed down, the Camachos went back to the dressing room. Inside the dressing room there was no sign of frustration or distress in the Camacho camp. Camacho Sr. and Camacho Jr. both left the arena in separate limos.

A quick stop at a convenience store was made on the ride back to the hotel. The clerk in the store asked Camacho Jr. for his autograph. Camacho was wearing a promotional T-shirt advertising his fight at the TCC and he responded to her request by taking the shirt off of his back, signing it, and giving it to her. The overall perspective of Camacho' persona (at least this evening) appears to be eccentricity accompanied by altruism.

Upon arrival at the Camachos' hotel, Jr. went to his hotel room, had food ordered for everyone and cleaned up to go out and celebrate his ring return and both his and his father's victory.

While Camacho Jr. was getting ready for a night out, Camacho Sr. came into the suite and sat down. We discussed the evening's events and Sr. revealed to us that he had a severely bruised right hand due to an injury suffered while sparring in preparation for this fight. Camacho Sr. was very candid and extremely upbeat. He said he enjoyed the fight and was glad his opponent came to fight.

Camacho Jr. came back into the room and sat down as Camacho Sr. revealed that he spars with his son. (I thought this was odd until Sr. explained) Camacho Sr. stated: "I cannot teach with words, I can only show with actions."

As the two sat across from each other while we continued to talk, I became sharply aware of how close these two really are. Camacho Sr. and Camacho Jr. are more than just father and son, they are friends.