Héctor “Macho” Camacho Through the Years
Puerto Rican boxer Héctor "Macho" Camacho has had an embattled career. From his triumphs as lightweight and junior welterweight world title winners in the 1980s to his controversial personal life, Camacho has never been shy of the spotlight.
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – What began as a peaceful memorial for Puerto Rican boxer Hector “Macho” Camacho escalated into an event worthy of the boxing ring.
On Tuesday a fight broke out at the two day memorial for the much beloved athlete when 28-year-old Cynthia Castillo leaned down and kissed the boxer in his coffin.
Following the kiss, Castillo entered the designated VIP area reserved for those closest to Camacho.
According to El Nuevo Dia, the incident enraged Camacho’s sisters and his former girlfriend Gloria Fernandez, who verbally came to blows with Castillo.
Trying to avoid chaos, the two women took their scuffle outside only to be followed by a frantic group of journalists and police.
After being separated by the police, Castillo told the Puerto Rican newspaper her side of the story.
Castillo claimed to be the most recent “partner” of Camacho, saying his family attacked her for no reason.
Speaking in Spanish Castillo called the theatrical boxer, “my partner, my friend, my brother.”
Fernandez was physically upset, cursing and shouting at Castillo.
Encouraged by authorities, Castillo left the wake while Fernandez and Camacho's sisters went back inside.
Following the outbreak a tense calm settled over the memorial as other visitors continued to pay their respects.
Throughout the day hundreds had stopped including his mother, Maria Matías, who wept and caressed her son's face in the coffin, which was draped in a Puerto Rican flag. "They killed him," she wailed at one point.
Displayed inside a gymnasium decked out for the occasion with a black carpet and curtains, Camacho wore white, along with a large gold crucifix and a necklace spelling out his nickname, "Macho," in capital letters.
Camacho died Saturday after being shot Nov. 20 while sitting in a parked car with a friend outside a bar in Bayamon, his hometown. The friend died at the scene and the boxer three days later after doctors removed him from life support. Police have said they have suspects but have not yet arrested anyone for the shooting.
Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino
Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.