7 Things We Love About Camacho

Nov. 21, 2012— -- On Wednesday, many people around the world were saddened to hear that Puerto-Rican Boxer Hector "Macho" Camacho had been shot in the face, and was in critical condition.

Doctors in San Juan recently declared that "El Macho" is now brain dead and are consulting with his family over whether he should be kept on life support.

But whatever happens to him in the following days, it is clear that his legacy will live on.

Camacho won three world boxing titles for his native Puerto Rico. He may have had serious behavioral problems outside the ring, and several run-ins with the law, but his warm personality, outrageous boxing costumes, and enthusiastic participation in reality shows like Univision's Mira Quien Baila, made him somewhat of a pop icon. It also provided his fans a lot of reasons to love him.

Here are just a few of our favorite things about Hector "Macho" Camacho. Thanks to our readers for contributing to this list.

1. The Name

Camacho did not only have a catchy nickname and an ego to match the size of his muscles, he also coined his own phrase, which he used over and over again in TV appearances and ads. "What Time is it? It's Macho Time!"

2. Crazy Costumes

As Camacho became a famous boxer, he began to enjoy basking in the media spotlight. During fights, he entered the ring in outrageous costumes like a roman soldier outfit, this Puerto-Rican superhero outfit, and an unexplainable, and somewhat morbid costume with a helmet, which he wore to his 1997 championship bout versus Oscar de la Hoya.

3. The Hair

What about that little Superman-style curly lock adorning El Macho's forehead? A classic trademark that even Univision's Don Francisco tried to emulate.

4. The Reality Shows

Toward the end of his career El Macho's boxing abilities withered. But his charisma stayed intact, earning him a spot on several reality shows. First El Macho danced for Mira Quien Baila, Univision's version of Dancing With the Stars. Then he became a surreal Mira Quien Baila critic, and then he starred in his own web series. In this episode Puerto-Rican singer Giselle Ortiz gives El Macho a couple tips about how to seduce a girl.

5. Julio Cesar Chavez's Alter Ego

Some boxing fans found that El Macho was a refreshing alternative to Julio Cesar Chavez, the stoic Mexican champ, who was the other big Latin boxing star in the '80s and '90s. "He was always like the street peacock to Julio Cesar Chavez's earnest family man [image] back in the day," wrote Twitter user @monikafabian. "Two different Latin manhoods."

6. A Gentleman?

Many fans of El Macho, who saw him in Mira Quien Baila are convinced that the rowdy, spotlight-hungry, boxing legend had a soft touch as well. "I loved it when this guy got out on a dance floor and displayed how sensitive he could be. God help him," wrote Twitter user @bodiqua77.

7. A Champion for Puerto Rico and U.S. Latinos

Take away all the flashy costumes, the clever slogans and the run-ins with police, and what are you left with? A gifted boxer with a lethal left hook, who won world boxing titles in three weight categories. El Macho was simply one of the best at his sport, and that is why people began to pay attention to him in the first place. In case you never saw him fight, here's a good roundup of El Macho knockouts.