Macho Time: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of Hector Camacho

by Christian Giudice, Carlos Acevedo (Foreword)

“In yet another skillful excavation of a dazzling Latino champion, Christian Giudice...follows Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho from his embattled childhood in Spanish Harlem, to the heights of his electrifying yet too-brief stardom and onto his abject end by hail of gunfire in a carful of cocaine. It is a compelling journey.”―Mark Kram Jr., author of Smokin’ The Life of Joe Frazier Hector Camacho lived fast, and his fists flew even faster in the ring. Handsome, flamboyant, and outspoken, Camacho electrified the boxing scene of the 1980s and, shouting his mantra “Macho Time”, he beat some of the greatest fighters of his generation. But his high-speed life caught up with him eventually―and tragically―when he was shot dead outside a nightclub in Puerto Rico at the age of fifty. Macho Time is written by Christian Giudice, author of Hands of Stone, the definitive biography of Roberto Duran, which was made into the motion picture of the same name starring Robert De Niro. Macho Time is the first biography of Hector Camacho Sr. Camacho's son, Hector Camacho Jr., also a professional boxer, worked closely with author Christian Giudice to give him unprecedented access and insight into this complex man. I thought I was cocky. Camacho surpasses me by three or four levels. But when Camacho brags, he’s not trying to convince you of anything; he’s just telling you what’s going to happen.”―Sugar Ray Leonard, from the pages of Macho Time “He would give me a hug and a kiss, then he would sit on the couch and make everyone laugh so hard. He had such good energy and spirit. He brought such joy to people whenever he entered a room. It was a gift.”―Hector Camacho Jr., from Afterword of Macho Time

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2021

Reviews

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hector “Macho” Camacho was a boxer from the 1980’s and 1990’s who won over fans as much for his flash and his style as well as his fists. He won titles in three different weight classes and had millions of fans, but he still had critics saying that he never reached his full potential. This was mainly due to his lifestyle outside the ring where drugs and partying at times took over his life. His entire life, which ended tragically when he was shot in 2012, is captured in this great biography by Christian Guidice.

Guidce is a respected biographer of Latin American boxers, having previously authored well-received biographies of Roberto Duran, Alexis Arguello and Wilfredo Gomez. Just like the other three, Guidice leaves no area of Camacho’s life unturned. Interviews with many survivors of Camacho, including his mother, son, several trainers he had throughout his career and the mother of Hector Jr. help to portray a man filled with so much talent yet was very much a walking contradiction.

One of the best examples of this was an interview in the ring Camacho gave after a fight in which CBS announcer Tim Ryan was talking to Hector and Camacho was asking Ryan if he was his friend. Right there in the ring after a victory on live television, the “Macho Man” was showing a vulnerability that many did not know. However, those who did know him felt that this was just one more time in many where Camacho would prove to be a very complicated individual.

Of course, Camacho’s boxing career is covered completely as well with some great passages of some of his more memorable fights, whether he won or lost. Probably the best boxing passage in the entire book was when Camacho won a controversial split decision over Edwin Rosario. While he won that fight, many believed Camacho was never the same after that bout in which Rosario hurt him several times. This came as a surprise to many who loved him and contrasted him to other great Latino boxers. As Guidice writes, “Alexis Arguello had respect, Roberto Duran had cachet, Hector Camacho had presence.” This “presence” was in the ring far longer than expected, however, when he later accepted big days against fighters who were also past their primes such as Sugar Ray Leonard. It was a far cry from the fast and furious fighter that many Puerto Ricans came to love.

Boxing fans who remember Camacho’s career and his flair will want to pick up this book as well as those who enjoy a good biography of a famous fighter whose hard lifestyle helped bring an end to his life far too early.

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[Scott Hitchcock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bland.

[Neal Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good semi short book well done

This was a nice read, like most biographies the best part of the book is the beginning. Talking about the struggles Hector had to endure, but also the parts that make you laugh. I can only imagine a young boy in love with Bruce lee breaking all the broom sticks to make numb chucks, how rich.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

very well researched and written, I watched a lot of Camachos fight and the author gave him a good portrayal of his career, the early macho who was untouchable and had the potential to be an all time great, but the lifestyle caught up to him and he struggled against the likes of Vinny Pazeniza and Greg Haugen. then later in his career you already knew he had no chance against Chavez or de la Hoya.

like his friend Mike Tyson his self destructiveness was his undoing. In spite of that Camacho was a man of the people, loyal to a fault, beloved by the people of east Harlem where he grew up, tried to be a good father but didn't know how. he was a walking contradiction, tender but tough, sweet but an asshole. one of the refrains is Hector being Hector, there will only be one macho man.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protect yourself at all times.

[Dwight Kincy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macho Time

A very good read, that brings back memories from the late 80s and early 90s boxing era, the tragic story of boxing legend Hector “Macho” Camacho.

[Jon Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've said it before, boxing biographies tell everything about the human soul.