AFP - Getty ImagesSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Family and friends of former boxing champion Hector `Macho' Camacho kept a somber vigil Friday at the hospital in Puerto Rico where he remains on life support.
Doctors in San Juan have said Camacho is clinically brain dead from a shooting earlier this week in his hometown of Bayamon. But relatives and friends told The Associated Press they are still wrestling with whether to remove him from life support.
"It is a very difficult decision, a very delicate decision," said former pro boxer Victor "Luvi" Callejas, a longtime friend, in a phone interview. "The last thing we lose is hope and faith. If there is still hope and faith, why not wait a little more?"
Camacho's oldest son, Hector Camacho Jr., told reporters his father has not been disconnected from an artificial respirator and that he believes he is still alive.
The Week in Sports PicturesThe nation grieved for those hurt, killed and affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. After one of the suspects was caught on Friday — following a day-long lockdown and manhunt — sports returned to Boston over the weekend. |
Two of Camacho's sisters have asked that he remain on life support until Saturday.
Aida Camacho, one of the boxer's aunts, said in an interview that the family could decide by late Friday whether to donate his organs.
As some relatives and friends continued to pray for a miracle, condolences kept coming in for the boxer's family and preparations have begun for memorials and a funeral Mass.
Gov. Luis Fortuno said he lamented what he called a sudden loss.
"'Macho' will always be remembered for his spontaneity and charisma in and out of the ring," he said.
Also offering condolences was governor-elect Alejandro Garcia Padilla, who defeated Fortuno in November.
"The life of Macho Camacho, like other great athletes of ours, united the country," he said. "We celebrated his triumphs in the streets and we applauded him with noble sportsmanship when he didn't prevail."
Camacho was shot Tuesday night as he sat in a car with a friend, 49-year-old Adrian Mojica Moreno, who was killed in the attack. Police spokesman Alex Diaz said officers found nine small bags of cocaine in the friend's pocket, and a 10th bag open inside the car.
Police have made no arrests and continue to interview potential witnesses. Capt. Rafael Rosa told reporters Friday that they are tracking down several leads, but added that very few witnesses are cooperating. He declined to say whether police have identified any suspects.
Camacho Jr. lamented the violence that has consumed Puerto Rico, a U.S. island territory of nearly 4 million people that reported a record 1,117 homicides last year.
"Death, jail, drugs, killings," he said. "That's what the streets are now."
Camacho's sisters have said they would like to fly Camacho's body to New York and bury him there. Camacho grew up mostly in Harlem, earning the nickname the "Harlem Heckler."
He won super lightweight, lightweight and junior welterweight world titles in the 1980s and fought high-profile bouts against Felix Trinidad, Julio Cesar Chavez and Sugar Ray Leonard. Camacho knocked out Leonard in 1997, ending the former champ's final comeback attempt. Camacho had a career record of 79-6-3.
Camacho also battled drug, alcohol and other problems throughout his life. He was sentenced in 2007 to seven years in prison on burglary charges, but a judge eventually suspended all but one year of the sentence and gave Camacho probation. He wound up serving two weeks in jail, though, after violating that probation. A wife also filed domestic abuse complaints against him twice before their divorce.
Rafa Nadal made short work of his great rival Roger Federer to win the Italian Open, while Serena Williams took down Victoria Azarenka in the women's final.
Duke coach said that after winning his second gold medal in men's basketball would be his Team USA finale. That may not be the case anymore.
CANCUN, Mexico (AP) - Shane Mosley unanimously outpointed Mexico's Pablo Cano on Saturday night to win for the first time in four years.
Slide show |
The Week in Sports Pictures The nation grieved for those hurt, killed and affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. After one of the suspects was caught on Friday — following a day-long lockdown and manhunt — sports returned to Boston over the weekend. more photos |
Special feature |
NBCSports.com |
Inside NBCSports.com |