Camacho, like him or not, was a tough and tricky customer. An elusive, speedy combination puncher vaguely along the same lines as certain fighters who at times gave Williams trouble. I know for a fact that Williams would have trouble catching Camacho, who would also appear to out fight Williams at close quarters for maybe five rounds. But such an aggressive puncher as Ike, snatching the body, would shine late and with any luck, send Camacho to the canvas a couple of times for extra points. Body punching as a decisive factor, I'd say Williams UD15, bearing in mind there's a chance Camacho could steal it. It's not an ideal match up for Williams and wouldn't be clear cut. A noteworthy consideration is that Williams counters far quicker and sharper than, say, Jose Luis Ramirez.
Quality analysis. I will add that I don't think 135 was Hector's best weight, that I believe he was faster and better at 130, although he certainly had moments at 135. (SRL loved the way Camacho starched John Montes in Anchorage.) Counter punching specialist Cubanito Perez caught Hector in a corner and buckled him early with a body assault, changing the whole complexion of their bout. Through the remainder of the match, Camacho would fire off a couple quick jabs, then rush in to clinch before Irleis had a chance to counter. As fast as Hector was, I always had the sense that having an advantage in physical strength was also crucial to him. Camacho-Cubanito offers strong evidence in favor of Manassa's conclusion that body punching would be crucial for Ike. (Cubanito looked like he might have one hell of a career, but was stifled by crippling allergies. He looked huge in comparison to Hector.)
Hector was tougher than some of us (me included) care to admit. But I'm thinking of the Lightweight who went life and death with Rosario. Ike Williams is a different kind of animal. Strength, combinations, power. I think he'd run Camacho damn near out of the ring. Hector's toughness/resourcefullness would allow him to finish, but I think this is clear for Williams.
Camacho claimed he never lost a street fight, although he sometimes had to resort to a brick or bat to finish the job. That he had 88 fights until age 48, including many against world class and sometimes ATG competition, without ever being stopped speaks for itself. He didn't fulfill his potential, but he's probably still a first ballot IBHOFer when the time comes. (Of course if he'd ever been placed on Ritalin, we wouldn't even be discussing him today.)
I remember watching that Rosario fight in '86. He should have been given the decision (I haven't watched it since but remember thinking so at the time), but he did exact a price. After that, there appeared to be a change in Camacho's style. Rosario took something from him. Camacho relied more on hand speed before that bout -after it, he relied more on foot speed. He didn't strike me as being comfortable anymore inside the perimeter with punchers for more than it took to land a flurry or two. Now, Ike was a more dynamic puncher than Rosario -he was a more dynamic fighter. I don't think that pre-Rosario Camacho would be doing much more than holding and praying at the end of it. Post-Romario Camacho may survive with less bumps, but I don't see him winning.
Ike in prime was the best 135 pounder i ever saw ringside.I saw him annihilate the great Beau Jack in Philly. That Beau Jack would have chased Hector out of the ring. Left hooks,uppercuts,right crosses, bolo punches,etc,made beau Jack one tough hombre. Ask Henry Armstrong. Williams by tko 7th round...
