Doctor: Puerto Rico boxer Camacho is brain dead

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Doctors say famed Puerto Rican boxer Hector `Macho' Camacho is clinically "brain dead" after being shot in the face.

Dr. Ernesto Torres said at a news conference Thursday that doctors are still performing tests on Camacho before meeting with his family. Torres had said late Wednesday that Camacho was showing irregular and intermittent brain activity.

The 50-year-old Camacho was shot as he and a friend sat in a Ford Mustang parked outside a bar Tuesday night. Police spokesman Alex Diaz has said officers found nine small bags of cocaine in the friend's pocket, and a 10th bag open inside the car.

Camacho was considered a volatile but popular and skilled boxer who battled drugs, alcohol and other problems. He had a career record of 79-6-3.

Camacho's ex-wife and son live in the Doctor Phillips community. Neighbors said he also used to live there.

"My sons went through school with Hector's kids. My first thought was his ex-wife and how she would feel and the kids," said neighbor Ian O'Sullivan.

Wednesday night, Camacho's family was trying to decide whether he should be removed from life support after the shooting in his hometown.

"I could just imagine how hard that is for the family, so my heart and prayers go out for the family," said neighbor Bruno Vivaldi.

In Orange County, Camacho was still awaiting trial on child abuse charges for allegedly throwing his teenage son to the ground and stomping on him last year.

WFTV