By Gerardo Granados: Back in August 7th of 1983 at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, in San Juan, Puerto Rico; a young lion challenged a though experienced fighter for the vacant WBC super featherweight title.
On one corner southpaw Hector Camacho, this was the first title bout for Camacho who had an undefeated record of W21(11)-L0-D0. On the other corner the former two time WBC super feather champion Rafael Limon who had a record of W50(35)-L13-D2; it was the third shot at the title for Bazooka Limon who previously had lost the title to Bobby Chacon by UD15 in the Ring Magazine fight of the year.
I had never seen this fight before and I found really interesting to see a young Camacho who had not fully evolved in to the character he was by the time he was a world boxing icon. He already was an entertaining great boxer but it was not Macho time just yet. His antics before, during and after the fight were really entertaining, his exotic walk-in wardrobe and that genuine macho way of life are missing from many current prize fighters.
The late Hector Camacho won major titles in three different weight divisions: WBC super featherweight – lightweight and WBO light welter. “Macho” Camacho defeated Rafael Bazooka Limon, Edwin Chapo Rosario, Freddie Roach, Cornelius Boza Edwards, Jose Luis Ramirez, Greg Haugen, Vinny Pazienza, Ray Boom Boom Mancini and lost to Greg Haugen, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Oscar De la Hoya and Felix Tito Trinidad. Camacho also have victories against Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto “Manos de piedra” Duran but both were way past their prime, in fact Duran fought for the last time against Camacho at the age of 50.
Hector totally dominated the fight and won by TKO5 to win his first major championship. Against Limon, Camacho showed great speed and mobility, he was accurate and had great reflexes. And perhaps that was the trade mark of his boxing style during his long boxing career. I have no doubt that sooner or later Hector Camacho will be inducted in to the boxing hall of fame because he deserves it. But what about the readers, do you remember Camacho yelling: it´s Macho time!
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