By James Slater: 32-year-old Hector Camacho Junior is a boxer well known to fight fans. A pro since 1996, the slick southpaw has met a number of big names. Currently 52-3-1(28), the Puerto Rican has also picked up a number of important wins. However, Camacho Junior has never, in the opinion of some fans and experts, achieved what he could have in boxing.
A win at the end of the month, when Hector faces red-hot unbeaten puncher/prospect David Lemieux, could change that though. The veteran of almost 60 pro fights feels a win will lead him towards a big fight with a Miguel Cotto or maybe even a Sergio Martinez.
Going into the lion’s den on October 29th, against a man with a perfect 23-0(22) record, Camacho Junior will have to be at his best to get the victory he hopes will give his career the big boost it needs.
Very kindly taking time out to speak with me today, Hector had the following things to say:
James Slater: Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. Your upcoming fight with David Lemiuex has a lot of people talking – first of all, how’s camp gone for the October 29th fight?
Hector Camacho Junior: Camp’s going very well. I’ve been training here in Panama for two months now, I was supposed to fight a previous fight but it got cancelled. I’m on weight now and I’m ready to go.
J.S: Have you trained in Panama for a fight before?
H.C.J: First time here. You know, there are a lot of great fighters from Panama – Roberto Duran, who I watched growing up – and they know their boxing here.
J.S: What do you know about Lemieux?
H.C.J: A lot of Canadian fighters, and I’m not taking it away from them – they seem to get a lot of hype. They get matched out there against limited opposition, guys they’re supposed to beat. This guy’s got very limited experience, and he’s been beating guys he’s supposed to beat. This fight is a step up for him. They think I’m a stepping stone, but they’ve made a big mistake. I’m a fighter with classy moves along with some extra pop. I’ll be knocking him around the ring like a Hacky Sack and if the knockout comes it comes!
J.S: Is it fair to say this is a very dangerous fight for you? Some fans, when the fight was first rumoured, said you’d not take it as it was so dangerous. You’ve proved those people wrong.
H.C.J: All fights are dangerous. Yes, he’s got power, I can’t take that away from him. But he’s been stopping guys he’s supposed to stop. I’d be 23-0 with 22 KO’s if I’d fought the guys he’s been in with. The guys he’s been in with, they were handmade for him, they all stood right in front of him. I’ll be fighting a smart fight, and he’ll be up against things he’s never seen before. I’ll be on my toes all the time, I’ll jab him in the face, pivot and be behind him – all kinds of things he’s not seen before. I’ll frustrate him. He’s going in with a crafty, experienced southpaw. I’ll beat him at the mind-games too. I know he has power, and I am aware that one shot can end it at any time. I know I can’t make one mistake in there – I’ve got to be alert and sharp.
J.S: Have you seen many of his fights on tape?
H.C.J: I’ve seen a few on YouTube, but they ended so quickly, you can’t see too much. That could be his downfall in this fight, him looking for the knockout. Guys that hit hard, often they have no regards for the other guy’s power. He might run into a hard body shot. I don’t know about his chin, but body shots can really hurt. This fight is not at an ideal weight for me at 160-pounds. At best I’m a 154-pounder, at best. Really I’m a welterweight. But I should be faster than him, with me being a blown up middleweight.
J.S: You would have preferred the fight at 154?
H.C.J: I would’ve preferred it at 154, but a fighter who can eat is a happy fighter. I can eat AND train fighting at this weight. I don’t think he’s an absolute solid middleweight though. I’ve seen some flab on his belly.
J.S: That’s interesting. Do you maybe think he will get tired if the fight goes to the later rounds? He’s only been ten-rounds once, might you look to come on strong in the late rounds, with your experience at having gone the distance so many times?
H.C.J: My corner-men have put my game-plan together. I might come out fast at the start and look to win the early rounds – I’m fighting in his hometown so I don’t want to get robbed! Or I could take over in the later part of the fight. We’ll see when the bell rings. You’ll see a lot of movement, and he’ll miss a lot of punches. He throws homeruns, and when you miss that much you get tired. He has to get set to throw his punches, he has to plant his feet, and I think he’ll get winded from missing so much. You’re from England, you know about boxing. You go in there and you BOX! You be the smarter fighter.
J.S: You’ve won your last nine fights, but only had one fight this year. Any concerns about ring-rust?
H.C.J: I feel good. I have had just one fight this year, you’re right. But I’m not worried. I stay in the gym, I’ve had 57 fights – I know what to do. When the bell rings you have to be ready to fight!
J.S: What will a win over Lemieux mean for you? It will be looked at as a big upset in some quarters, and you will upset a lot of Canadians if you win!
H.C.J: A win will mean so much. It will definitely put me on new heights. But I can’t stay at 160, I’ll come back down to 154. I want a big fight, with Cotto, Chavez Junior, [Sergio] Martinez. A big fight. I deserve one.
J.S: I know you’ve wanted to fight Chavez Junior for a long time now!
H.C.J: I want it, but Top Rank and Golden Boy, they’re monopolising the game. They’re playing in-house poker and they’re dealing themselves the cards! It’s hard to get a piece of the pie when you’re a fighter on the outside like me. It’s good promotional work, don’t get me wrong, but it’s tough business for boxers like me. The game has changed so much. When Don King can’t get T.V dates, you know something’s wrong with boxing.
J.S: I think if you beat Lemieux, especially if you stop him, they will have to give you a big fight.
H.C.J: They will have to! A good showing against this kid, and they won’t be able to ignore me. And when I got the call for this fight, I didn’t second-guess it, I said let’s go! I’m a fighter, and that’s what we do, we fight. I know what I’m up against, and I know I can’t make any mistake. I’m ready.
J.S: It’s been great speaking with you, Hector. Do you have a final prediction for October 29th? Will it be Macho-Time!
H.C.J: It will be Junior time. I’ll do what I do, be myself in there, and don’t be surprised if I stop this kid.