Futrell Defeats Hector Camacho Jr.

By Dan Gretz: One-time promising light welterweight, Hector Camacho Jr. (42-3-1, 24 KOs) lost an eight-round split decision to the unknown Don Juan Futrell (20-3-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the AVI Casino, in Laughlin, Nevada. Camacho Jr., the son of boxing great Hector “Macho Camacho,” came into the fight overweight for the Super middleweight limit of 154 lbs, weighing in seven pounds over. As it turns out, Camacho was badly out of shape and got out-hustled in the later rounds, causing him to lose the fight.

The final judges’ score were 75-76, 75-76 and 76-75, awarding the victory to Futrell. In the sixth round, Futrell, 32, was deducted a point for a low blow.

At one time, in 2000, Camacho, 28, was considered one of the top prospects in boxing as a light welterweight. At that time, he had blazing fast quickness, excellent ring movement and enormous power in either hand. However, on July 7, 2001, Camacho was rushed too quickly into a bout with ex-lightweight champion Jesse James Leija, who after being punished by Camacho in the first two rounds, began to take control over the fight up until Camacho was cut in the fifth, prompting the fight to be stopped and eventually ruled a no-contest. The fight appeared to ruin Camacho’s confidence, however, as he was never the same fighter, even though he wasn’t defeated by Leija.