San Juan, PR — After much deliberation, the mother of former boxing champion Hector “Macho” Camacho has decided to take her son off of life support .
Maria Matias is waiting until the rest of her grandsons arrive at the hospital in Puerto Rico’s capital.
Doctors declared Camacho brain dead Wednesday after a shooting earlier in the week in his hometown of Bayamon, and there were conflicting reports about his chances of recovery. The boxer’s family has been torn over whether to keep him on life support or not.
“I lost my son three days ago,” Matias said during a news conference. “He’s alive only because of a machine. My son is not alive. My son is only alive for the people who love him.”
Camacho, 50, won four world titles, one each in the featherweight and lightweight divisions, and two in the welterweight division. He has four sons from different relationships.
The ex-pugilist’s longtime friend and former pro boxer Victor “Luvi” Callejas told the Associated Press, “It is a very difficult decision, a very delicate decision. The last thing we lose is hope and faith. If there is still hope and faith, why not wait a little more?”
Camacho was shot in the face as he and a friend, Adrian Mojica Moreno, sat in a parked car outside a bar Tuesday night. Police spokesman said officers found nine small bags of cocaine in Moreno’s pocket, and another open bag inside the car. Moreno was killed in the attack.
The boxer’s eldest son has opposed the decision to take his father off of life support. Hector Camacho Jr. said he wants to keep his father alive.
“He’s going to fight until the end. My father is a boxer,” he said.
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