by James Slater – Last night in El Paso, Texas, 31-year-old Hector Camacho Junior won a dull ten round split decision over 108 fight veteran and former 154-pound titlist Luis Ramon Yori Boy Campas. Proving to be too fast for the 38-year-old who has definitely seen better days even if he does remain a tough campaigner, southpaw Camacho Jr. triumphed by scores of 95-92, 96-91. Campas got the nod by a margin of 95-92 on the card of the third judge. Camacho is now 50-3-1(27) Campas is now 92-15-1(74.).
The fight was originally supposed to have been fought at light-middleweight, but due to Camacho’s failure to come in at 154 (he instead tipped in at 159.5-pounds) the fight was agreed to take place as a middleweight contest. An ugly fight at times, Camacho was docked three points throughout the ten rounds – for a low blow in the 3rd round, for hitting Campas after the bell had rang to end round four and for holding excessively in the final round.
Campas suffered a cut above his left eye due to an accidental head butt in the 5th round. Camacho hit and held a lot during the fight that failed to catch any real fire, and the older and far more shop worn fighter was unable to land any hurtful shots. There were no knockdowns, or anything close to one, and despite how both men had promised a KO win beforehand the action was boring.
Campas really should think seriously about retiring. Camacho, who “avenged” his father’s May, 2009 draw with Campas, does have some options for the future. Interestingly (or horrifyingly, depending on your view) former world champion Fernando Vargas said after last night’s fight – according to Fight News.com – how he is interested in making a return to the ring to face Camacho.
The man who took the IBF 154-pound strap from Campas way back in 1998, and who has not fought since his November, 2007 points loss to Ricardo Mayorga, is involved in promoting today, and nobody expects to see him back in the ring. But Vargas has spoken of wanting to fight Camacho Jr. before, and he apparently said so again last night.
It’s doubtful too many fans would get in any way excited about a Vargas-Camacho bout, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. But what would Vargas prove with the win if he managed to get it anyway? Camacho, though, now unbeaten in his last eight fights, would likely prevent the faded “El Feroz” from picking up a comeback win, but his style wouldn’t make it an exciting fight.
Despite his obvious talent, Camacho Jr. has failed to give his fans any good action in quite some time. It’s doubtful that would change if he fought Vargas.