Boxing luminaries react to Hector Camacho's death

• Bob Arum: 'He was very, very clever as far as promotion was concerned'
• Ken Hershman: 'One of the most charismatic personalities the sport has known'
• Don King: 'His inimitable style won him fans all over the world'

Reaction from the boxing community on the life and tragic death of Hector "Macho" Camacho, the former three-division champion who was shot in the head in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday and died four days later when his family took him off life support. Camacho was 50 years old at the time of his death.

Bob Arum, longtime boxing promoter who promoted Camacho's fight with then-Arum fighter, Oscar De La Hoya, in 1997: "I always thought he was a bit of a loose cannon, a fool. But when I promoted that fight, I realized he was very, very clever as far as promotion was concerned. He did a lot of stuff for a purpose. And he had an instinct to know what would bring attention to him and the event. I was very, very impressed with him on that promotion.

"De La Hoya was obviously the 'A' star, but it was Camacho that carried that promotion and made it as successful as it was. He really knew what he was doing. That's how I remember him. From that time on, I had a very friendly relationship with him.

"Camacho could fight. As a lightweight, he was blazing fast and he had great, great skills. People don't realize he was one of the signature guys that helped build the boxing brand back in the '80s. CBS loved him. Anybody he fought they put him on CBS, and he invariably got them good ratings."

On his death: "Very tragic, though not totally unexpected. He lived life in the fast lane, although I'm not sure what happened in this instance. It seemed he was blameless. But as I said, he lived in the fast lane."

Ken Hershman, president of HBO Sports: "Everybody at HBO Boxing is saddened by the tragic passing of Hector 'Macho' Camacho. During the prime of his career he played an important role in driving the sport's popularity. He was one of those fighters you had to keep your eyes on.

"Hector first fought on HBO in 1983 and he will always be remembered for what he accomplished. He was one of the most charismatic personalities the sport has known.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Camacho family."

Don King, Camacho's longtime promoter: "I was shocked and saddened when I learned Hector had been shot in Puerto Rico. My prayers go out to him and his family.

"I liked promoting the 'Macho Man.' He was a promoter's dream, a very promotable guy. His inimitable style won him fans all over the world.

"Away from the ring, he was a really nice and amiable guy. I enjoyed him very much."

De La Hoya, who put Camacho on the canvas and defeated him for the WBC welterweight title on Sept. 13, 1997, tweeted: "May your soul rest in peace my friend. You are a warrior gladiator and a special human being. We will miss you dearly and will always love you."

"I remember Emanuel Steward told me, "You are not going to knock him out, his chin is made of granite and his heart is twice the size."

Four-time champion Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, who fights Andre Berto on Saturday night: "R.I.P Hector 'Macho' Camacho! Gave us all some great times and memories! God Bless him."

Contributing: wire and other reports