It is not just that Hector Camacho Jr. is named after and has followed in the professional footsteps of his famous father. After all, Leon Spinks' son Cory is one of the best welterweights in the world, and hardly anyone knows who he is. Everyone knows who Hector Jr. is. He doesn't imitate his father's schtick -- he doesn't try to offend onlookers at press conferences, he isn't disrespectful toward opponents. Sure, he uses the name his father made famous in order to generate interest in his fledgling career, but he would be a fool not to.

Camacho Jr. receives the attention he does because he has star quality -- he is a very charismatic young man. And he can fight a little, too. No, he will never be the fighter his father was (not that his father was ever the fighter he could have been), but it's not like he can't fight at all. Whether he can beat some of the better fighters in and around the junior welterweight division is the question he needs to answer. If he can take the step from prospect to contender, with his name and personality, he will be a real money man in the 140-pound division.

He has thus far faced one legitimate test in his professional career. It came in his fight against Jesse James Leija. He failed that test. Camacho was cut by an accidental headbutt early in the fight. Rather than attempt to go on, Camacho complained that he could not see and quit in his corner. Boxing fans around the country (the fight was broadcast on HBO) watched a heavily promoted and previously protected young fighter take the easy way out the very first time the going got rough. The step from hyped prospect to legit contender can be a tricky one.

This upcoming Thursday night young Camacho will get another chance at validating the hype. He is taking on Omar Weis, and once again his test will come in front of a national television audience, this time on ESPN's Thursday Night Special. Weis is a familiar face to the ESPN audience, having appeared to beat Antonio Diaz only to see the decision go the other way, and then drawing against Ray Olivares in a fight he also may have deserved to win. Weis brings a slick boxing style, a goodly amount of world class experience, and a real chance with him into his fight with Camacho. What Weis does not bring is punching power. And that may be the reason that he was selected as Camacho's first test since his failure against Leija.

While Camacho's camp claims it was his eye that led to his retiring in the corner against Jesse James, many observers felt Camacho's decision to quit had more to do with Leija's hard left hook, which rocked Camacho in the early going. Against Weis, Camacho will not have to worry about a humiliating knockout loss. And with the luck Weis has had thus far on the scorecards in the United States, Camacho will also probably not have to worry about dropping a close decision if the fight goes the distance.

Of course, there is always the possibility that Camacho is completely outboxed by the cagey Weis. If that happens, the ride is over. No more nationally televised six figure paydays. No more comparisons to the famous dad. Charisma alone can only take you so far. But a win, especially an impressive one, and the memory of the Leija fight will fade just a little, and the charismatic young kid's show will go on. No, Camacho Jr. will never play Griffey Jr. to his father's Griffey Sr. But if he is able to beat the Omar Weises of the world, he may end up playing Griffey Sr. to his father's Griffey Jr. That ain't Hall of Fame material, but it ain't too bad either.

Max Kellerman is a studio analyst for ESPN2's Friday Night Fights.