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'Macho' Camacho next for Ballard
Perry “The Punisher” Ballard has stepped into the boxing ring 21 times since turning pro in 1999.
When he enters the ring for the 22nd time July 18, the stakes will be higher than normal and the exposure will certainly be magnified.
Ballard, a former Leesburg resident who now resides in Martinsburg, W.Va., will place his World Boxing Empire (WBE) Light Middleweight championship belt on the line in a 12-round fight against the flamboyant Hector 'Macho' Camacho at Reliant Arena in Houston.
Ballard, who will turn 41 on June 19, said it took a lot of negotiations to make the fight a reality. The championship bout was originally scheduled for last November and has been relocated three times for various reasons before finally securing the 10,000-seat Reliant Arena.
“I'm incredibly excited,” Ballard said. “I'm elated to finally see this happening. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to fight a legend who has fought nothing but legends.”
Ballard (20-1, 15 KOs) and his WBE title made for an enticing opponent for Camacho, who is aiming for his 10th world boxing championship.
“It's a great opportunity for someone who has been self-managed and self-promoted throughout his career,” said Ballard, who will receive the biggest payday of his boxing career for participating in this fight.
Camacho, a Puerto Rico native, has defeated the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Vinny Pazienza and Roberto Duran during his illustrious career. He sports a record of 78-5-2 with 37 knockouts.
“With a win, my name will be marked with some of the greatest fighters of all time,” Ballard said.
Ballard will have the advantage of facing a rusty Camacho, who is on the tail end of his boxing career at age 46.
Camacho has not fought in nearly three years and was released from jail less than a year ago after serving time on a burglary conviction. His last fight was July 9, 2005, when he won a unanimous decision against Raul Munoz.
Camacho has called upon the services of famous trainer Angelo Dundee for this fight and should be eager to show the boxing world he still possesses an elite skill set.
“He didn't win 78 fights by accident,” Ballard said. “He is 100 percent boxer -- that is his life. Boxing is his bread and butter. He has a chance to be a 10-time world champion, so he is going to take this fight seriously.”
Ballard, co-trained by Jonathan Kuhn and Lionell Royer, defeated Travis Clybourn by unanimous decision June 16, 2007, in his last fight. He has won three consecutive bouts since suffering the only loss of his pro career in 2005 against Jimmy Lange.
“I'm working hard and running hard. It's going really well. I'm doing everything I can to be ready for Hector,” Ballard said, adding he has watched nearly 30 of Camacho's past fights recently in preparation for the July 18 showdown.
“I think my chances are really good,” Ballard continued. “I'm in great shape. I have a great chance of winning this fight. There is no doubt about it. I've got some good rounds in during the last three years and he hasn't.”
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