Pinoy pug to battle 'Macho'

He may be fading but former World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight and lightweight champion Hector (Macho) Camacho is still considered a legend in his own time.

Camacho, 37, isn't as sharp as he was in stopping Rafael (Bazooka) Limon in 1983 or in outpointing Ray (Boom Boom) Mancini in 1989 or in thrashing Roberto Duran in 1996 or in halting Sugar Ray Leonard in 1997. His speech is somewhat slurred, his reflexes a bit slow.

But Camacho remains a champion -- he holds the obscure International Boxing Council (IBC) superwelterweight title. And his record of 69-4-1, with 33 knockouts, is nothing to sneeze at. He's only lost to Greg Haugen, Felix Trinidad, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Oscar de la Hoya -- all on points.

Never mind if his son Hector Jr., 21, is climbing the ranks as an unbeaten junior middleweight prospect. The father isn't prepared to step aside yet.

Camacho has fought only one Filipino in his career so far. Johnny Sato was knocked out in four rounds in 1982.

Philippine superwelterweight titlist Jerry Balagbagan will be Camacho's second Filipino opponent. Balagbagan battles Camacho for the IBC 155-pound title in Beijing on April 11. It'll be the biggest bout in Balagbagan's career which started in 1996, 17 years after Camacho made his pro debut.

Balagbagan will earn his fattest paycheck. He's guaranteed $20,000, according to San Francisco-based lawyer Sydney Hall who arranged the match. Hall plans to bring Balagbagan to world lightheavyweight champion Roy Jones' camp in Pensacola, Florida, next week to train. Balagbagan will also act as chief sparmate for Ike (Bazooka) Quartey who lost a disputed split decision to de la Hoya last year and fights International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior middleweight ruler Fernando Vargas on April 15. Quartey trains in Jones' camp.

Balagbagan's record is 7-1-2, with seven knockouts.

Hall, an immigration lawyer, is in town to fix Balagbagan's travel documents. He told The STAR the Beijing card will also feature Muhammad Ali's daughter Laila in her fourth pro fight. Laila's record is 3-0, with three knockouts. Her father might just show up at ringside.