Years of substance abuse appear to have led to the death of former world champion boxer Hector Camacho in a drug-related drive by shooting. In November of 2012, former world champion boxer Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho, died tragically after he was shot in the head while sitting in a parked car. According to the New York Times, several bags of
Oscar cocaine were found in pockets of a friend of Camacho’s who was with him in the car and also killed.
Camacho was the most famous Puerto Rican boxer in history, but over the past several years he was involved macho in car theft, shop lifting and intense drug abuse.
Macho Camacho won 79 fights in his career but lost the fight with drugs. He was 50 years old when he died, leaving behind four sons and a fan base of millions that still mourn him. Cocaine abuse is very common among celebrities as cocaine gives the addict feelings of supremacy and high energy levels. However cocaine consumption also brings irritability, paranoia and anxiety to the addict.
A couple of months ago in Los Angeles, Mexican-American legendsde La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez went public about heavy drug use. Both boxers admit to an on and off relationship with drugs – a very typical scenario for the consumer of controlled substances. Other boxers who are under public scrutiny because of their substance abuse include Evander Holyfield, Vitali Klitschko, Tommy Morrison, Joan Guzman, and more.
Multiple world champion De La Hoya admitted to ESPN during an interview that he used alcohol even a few weeks before major fights. Both De la Hoya and Chavez underwent rehab and have been clean for some years.
Drugs are an escape for anyone who lives under stressful circumstances or physical pain. However the same effort that a person can put into hiding an addiction could be better directed into facing the truth and getting rehabilitation treatment. Success in a fighter’s career depends not only on winning external fights but also on facing internal demons.