Boxer Hector Camacho charged with child-abuse
Former champion boxer Hector ''Macho'' Camacho is facing a felony count of child abuse and turned himself in to Florida authorities this week on a warrant filed late last year.
The 49-year-old Camacho posted a $5,000 bond at the Orange County Jail in Orlando on Monday and was released. According to the arrest affidavit, Camacho surrendered on a warrant that records show was filed by the state attorney's office in November.
State attorney's spokeswoman Danielle Tavernier said the office first received the case in May. She said a report that includes a narrative of what Camacho allegedly did was not immediately available.
Camacho's attorney Linda George released a statement Tuesday which said a family dispute took place at the home of Camacho's children and that a neighbor called police because it ''entailed yelling outside of the home.''
George said police arrived, did not arrest Camacho and no injuries or medical attention was required by anyone involved.
''Sometime after leaving the home, the complaint was filed alleging the actions against Mr. Camacho's teenage son,'' the statement said. ''Mr. Camacho only recently learned of the complaint and accordingly voluntarily reported to officials so that this matter can be resolved. He maintains a good relationship with his sons and all would like to put this matter behind.''
Camacho won super lightweight, lightweight and junior welterweight world titles in the 1980s.
His last title bout came against then-welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya in 1997, a loss by unanimous decision.
Camacho has fought other high-profile bouts in his career against Felix Trinidad, Julio Cesar Chavez and Sugar Ray Leonard. He knocked out Leonard in 1997, ending what was that former champ's final comeback attempt.
Camacho has a career record of 79-5-3, with his most recent fight coming in 2009.
Drug, alcohol and other problems have trailed Camacho since the prime of his boxing career.
Before this latest charge, Camacho was sentenced in 2007 to seven years in prison for the burglary of a computer store in Mississippi. While arresting him on the burglary charge in January 2005, police also found the drug ecstasy.
A judge eventually suspended all but one year of the sentence and gave Camacho probation. He wound up serving two weeks in jail, though, after violating that probation.
Twice his wife filed domestic abuse complaints against him, and she filed for divorce several years ago.