Mia St. John and Macho Raising Money For Mentally Ill

Mia St. John and Hector “Macho” Camacho appeared at the weigh-in on Friday at the Pechanga Resort and Casino to speak with the show’s organizers and to kick-start a fund-raiser set for Saturday.

St. John’s goal is to raise money for mental illness victims especially children and including those incarcerated who make up a large percentage of prison population. The event takes place on Nov. 28, at the New York City Boxing Club in Canoga Park, Calif.

One of the key stars for the event called “A Night of Knockouts” is Camacho himself who was given special permission to leave the state of Florida where he is under probation. For those who don’t know the Macho man is still an active fighter and recently fought Yory Boy Campas to a draw.

“I should have won that fight easy,” said Camacho, who at 47 still looks pretty good and carries a sharp wit. “I learned I can’t cut weight the way I used to. I have to do it the hard way from now on.”

If you’re wondering how a Chicana from California and a Boricua from Florida hooked up for the charity event; it’s quite simple: both are part of a new reality show on Telemundo called Street Verdict. It’s a new show produced by Lou Pizarro who currently produces Operacion Repo.

“I’m the host of the show,” said St. John who stills fights professionally and has more than 50 pro fights.

Pizarro accompanied St. John and Camacho to the Temecula casino resort. Both will be assisting the Chicana prizefighter, writer and actress with her event.

“It’s to raise awareness and support to those who can’t get help,” said St. John, who often sponsors various charity groups. “Some people don’t know where to go and what to do.”

St. John said that a number of comedians are performing and singer Bryan McKnight is also going to entertain those who attend the Saturday night event that begins at 7 p.m.

Camacho is the guest of honor for the event that also includes cast members of the Operacion Repo show and former heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster.

It’s all part of the “El Saber Es Poder” Foundation a nonprofit group.

You can call (818) 591-8604 or go to this link:

http://www.miastjohn.com/foundation.html

The NYC Boxing Club is located at 22053 Sherman Way in Canoga Park, Calif. 91302.

More Macho

It’s hard to imagine that Camacho has been fighting professionally since 1982. The Puerto Rican born legend has engaged in 87 pro fights and engaged with some of the greatest fighters to ever lace up gloves.

Anyone less than 30 years old might dismiss Camacho but if you ever saw him when he first began with those lightning reflexes, quick feet and power to spare as a junior lightweight, then fight much bigger and stronger guys as he got older, it’s phenomenal.

His only losses came to Greg Haugen, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad and Chris Walsh. That last fighter beat Camacho in 2003.

“I’m looking to make three more fights,” said Camacho, who beat Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Haugen, Roberto Duran, Vinny Pazienza, and Sugar Ray Leonard to name a few.

Camacho has unfinished business, then he wants to call it a career.

“I want to go out a success like George Foreman,” said the energetic and charismatic Camacho. “I just want a couple more fights then that’s it.”

One fighter on Camacho’s bull’s eye is Oxnard’s Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas.

“He called out my son but I want to fight him,” said Camacho, who knocked out Perry Ballard a year ago in a junior middleweight bout. “I really want to fight that guy if he can make the weight.”

The highest weight that Camacho has fought is 161.

Camacho would also like a crack at Nicaragua’s crazy Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga.

“Those are the kind of fights I’m looking for,” he said. “I just want to fight three more fights. But at least I got a legacy.”