Hector Camacho Shot, Could be Paralyzed
Hector Camacho is fighting for his life after being shot in the face while in Puerto Rico on Tuesday. He is in critical condition but expected to make a full recovery.
Camacho and another man were in the car when a gunman opened fire; the passenger did not survive the injuries after he was shot. Camacho, however, managed to survive and was immediately taken to a local hospital, where he is being treated for severe injuries to his face.
According to Dr. Ernesto Torres, the bullet entered through his jaw and exited through his head, lodging in his right shoulder. Camacho has two fractured vertebrae in addition to the facial injuries. Doctors are uncertain whether Camacho is paralyzed as a result of the fractured vertebrae.
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"Camacho's condition is extremely delicate," Torres told Telenoticias. "His physical condition will help him, but we will see."
Camacho is famous for his boxing ability and has fought against some of the biggest names including Julio Cesar Chavez, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Felix Trinidad. He was actually able to best Leonard in 1997 and take a significant stand in the boxing world. Camacho has won three world titles but retired when he was beaten in 1997 by Oscar De La Hoya.
Unfortunately, Camacho has also had a whole host of problems, including drug and alcohol abuse. He was sentenced to seven years in prison for the robbery of a computer store but was given probation.
Most recently, Camacho was charged with child abuse and turned himself in to authorities in April of this year. He allegedly picked up his teenage son by the neck and slammed him to the ground. A trial is still pending in that case.
"This guy is a cat with nine lives. He's been through so much," his representative Steve Tannenbaum told reporters. "If anybody can pull through, it will be him."
