Interview with Hector Camacho Jr.
Published January 12, 2009 by Martin Bean
Hector Camacho Jr. returns to the ring this Saturday (17th January) in Orlando, Florida as he takes on Sammy ‘Silk’ Sparkman of Tennessee, an opponent who brings a 20-17-1 (9 KO’s) record to the ring.
It was great to catch up with Hector (47-3-1, 27 KO’s) who is now 30 years of age—this is a man who has received his fair share of public criticism in the past, but Boxing Capital are delighted to be able to dispel some of the myths printed in the past. During our interview we found Hector to be a genuinely nice guy, who has perhaps matured and now talks with confidence underlined by steely determination to succeed.
In case you’ve not been following Camacho’s career of late, then let us fill a few of the blanks in for you; since his last defeat in July 2007 (to 19-3-1 Don Futrell via Split Decision over 8 rounds) Camacho Jr. has remained active, winning five straight contests, two of those by stoppage.
However, this is a different man to the 2000/01 undefeated Junior Welterweight Contender; Hector has fought six of his last seven contests over 160lbs (according to BoxRec.com)—naturally, our first question was about his weight—‘I can definitely still do 154lbs and won’t be far off for the fight on Saturday, my last fight was at 154lbs. I got lazy in the past and left making the weight late, I know I went up past 160lbs but now I have re-dedicated myself to boxing, I’m focused’.
Hector then confirmed our suspicions that he had matured as he elaborated ‘in the past I wasn’t doing the right things. Sometimes I was having to lose like 17-20lbs in the 2 or 3 days leading into a fight, that’s just not right. But I’ve learnt my lesson and you can expect to see a new me from now on’.
When asked what he knew of Saturday’s opponent, Sparkman, Camacho Jr. was extremely honest—‘I don’t know too much about Sparkman other than he’s been in with a few decent names’. But, encouragingly, Camacho Jr. isn’t complacent. When asked about his plans beyond this fight, I was left in no doubt that Camacho Jr. is taking Sparkman seriously ‘I’m not getting carried away, you’ll get no predictions from me. One fight at a time and I’m not looking past him (Sparkman). In the past I’d look at his record and be looking to the next fight but right now I’m determined and focused— ‘09 is gonna be a big year for me’.
For fans who don’t know too much about Sparkman, he is a decent boxer but ultimately, one that falls short at the top level—as demonstrated by his inside the distance losses to both Andre Berto (inside 2 rounds in June 2006) and Paul ‘The Punisher’ Williams (inside 4 rounds in November 2004). Most recently, Sparkman lost a clear 10 round decision to unbeaten Pole, Pawel Wolak.
Of course we had to ask about the Yory ‘Boy’ Campas situation that occurred last November, when Campas accused Camacho Jr. of signing for the fight before backing out. There is a legal situation ongoing so the normally fast talking Camacho Jr. couldn’t say too much, but he did state ‘I never signed for that fight, we’ve asked for a copy of the contract (the contract Campas claims Hector signed) and to this day we have still not received it—my lawyer is handling the situation’.
We also couldn’t speak to Hector Camacho Jr. without asking how is Dad, the legendary Hector Camacho Sr. was doing these days—we received wonderful news ‘My Dad is doing great. Right now, he’s living a clean life, he’s even in the gym and is working pretty hard. You know, boxing has been my Dad’s life and he loves it, it’s great to see him still working out’.
When asked who his toughest opponent to date had been, Hector was in no doubt ‘I’ve been asked this question a lot and I don’t mean to sound arrogant but my toughest opponent is me. I’ve not done the right things sometimes in the past but when I’ve prepared correctly I’m great. So it’s definitely myself—although I’ve lost, no opponent has really pushed me if I’ve prepared properly’.
And which of his victories does Hector Jr. class his best? After some deliberation, Camacho Jr said that Harold Warren in February 2000 could well be the one. Why—we’ll leave that to Hector Jr ‘Warren had been in with some great names on his record including Genaro Hernandez (Warren lost on points over 12) and had never ever been stopped before. I’d prepared right for that fight, worked hard in the gym and it all came good—I took him out in the first round. I was on HBO money at that time and everything was good’.
What does Camacho Jr. think of the state of boxing today? ‘Boxing is in a bad way. It’s not a sport for the fans right now, it’s a business—no wonder MMA is taking over boxing, we’re not seeing good fights we’re seeing money fights, one’s that sell but don’t entertain’. As Camacho Jr. spoke about saving our beloved sport, he finally told us one future opponent he would like to face ‘they need exciting fights for the fans, you know, me against Julio Chavez Jr would be brilliant – we’ve got the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico angle and the fans would love it, the history is there (Hector Camacho Sr. fought Julio Chavez Sr. back in 1992, with Chavez winning points), that’s exactly the sort of fight boxing needs’.
We have to agree with Hector Jr. on that one, it’s a fight I’d certainly like to see and I feel Camacho Jr. would take away the protected Chavez Jr’s long unbeaten record. To be honest, slick southpaw Camacho Jr. could really take Chavez Jr. to school. Another fight Hector Jr. thinks could save boxing is Hatton vs. Pacquiao ‘Oh man, that’s a helluva fight right there, they’re both overseas fighters and exciting, it’d be great’.
With that, we left Hector to continue his build up to the fight which takes place at the Orlando Arena on Saturday night. I know you shouldn’t get carried away in the build up to the fight but after speaking to Hector Jr. I am sold—he’s talking the talk and it sounds like he’s prepared diligently for this fight—if he can translate all of that preparation into a performance on Saturday night then you can expect a masterclass from Camacho Jr. in beating Sparkman.
Boxing Capital wishes Hector Camacho Jr. the best of luck for his contest on Saturday night and for the remainder of 2009—we will be watching his progress with interest and hope to catch up with him again in the near future.
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