Marvin Camel

Marvin Camel (born December 24, 1951) is a boxer and member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation in Northwestern Montana. He was born in Ronan and fought out of Missoula. He holds the distinction of being the first person recognized as Cruiserweight boxing champion of the world by two different professional sanctioning bodies.[1]

Camel fought Mate Parlov in Yugoslavia to a draw in the first ever cruiserweight world title bout. In the rematch, in Las Vegas, Camel beat Mate Parlov for the vacant WBC world Cruiserweight title in 1980, losing the title in his first defense, to Carlos De León. After losing in a rematch to De Leon, he became, in 1983, the IBF's first world champion, beating Roddy McDonald, by becoming world Cruiserweight champion for the second time when he claimed that organization's title. He lost the title to Lee Roy Murphy.

He lost his final bout in June 1990 against Eddie “Young Joe Louis” Taylor in Minneapolis. The 10-round decision left his lifetime mark at 45-13-5.

Camel's pro career took him from Ronan to 13 states and seven foreign nations on three continents.

“I’ve had a good life, as far as boxing is concerned, winning two world titles, losing world titles, seeing the world,” Camel said in 2015. “Some things people only dream about having, I did it. I’ve been there. I’ve been to the top of the mountain. But I feel there’s still something out there that I’ve got to have, and I don’t know what it is.” [2]

He is the subject of a biography released in December 2014, titled 'Warrior in the Ring' by Brian D'Ambrosio,.[3][4] The book was nominated for the High Plains Book Award and several other awards. "Boxer Marvin Camel’s life story is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of," said Big Sky Journal.

Born on the Flathead Reservation to a Native American mother and African American father, Camel’s physical talents became obvious early in his life — and point to a path that could take him away from the poverty and isolation and racism that shape his childhood. D’Ambrosio looks at Camel’s early life, the departure of his father, and the place the Camel children had as mixed-race residents on the reservation. He examines the constructs of identity and takes them as a starting point for his story, built from years of interviews with Camel, his friends and family, and members of the boxing community.

Twice crowned world champion in the cruiserweight division, Camel proudly appeared in his eagle-feather headdress to represent his state and his mother’s people when he boxed. D’Ambrosio makes the point that Camel’s Montana heritage influenced his story — and perhaps his tenacity — as much as anything else. In reflecting on his career and marveling at what takes a young boy from Montana and makes him a world champion, Camel said of himself, “The hills and fresh air of Montana made Marvin Camel.”

But Camel’s story isn’t just a feel-good, “boy from a small state and a rough background makes good” tale. The trajectory of Camel’s career brought him into contact with some of the greatest names in the sport — and with some of the biggest conmen and villains trying to make money off the drama and danger. D’Ambrosio doesn’t flinch away from the ugliness of life on the reservation as a mixed blood, the brutality of life in the boxing ring, or disillusionment about life after a career has slipped away. Nor does the story end with regret. Camel now lives with his second wife in Florida where he works in landscaping. But he will live on forever in the lore and history of Montana.[5]

In December 2014, D'Ambrosio and Camel attended the 52nd Annual World Boxing Convention.[6]

Professional boxing record

45 Wins (21 knockouts, 24 decisions), 13 Losses (8 knockouts, 5 decisions), 4 Draws
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 30-9-1 United States Eddie "Young Joe Louis" Taylor MD 10 11/06/1990 Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States 93-99, 94-97, 99-99.
Loss 9-1 United States Joe "The Boss" Hipp TKO 6 02/12/1989 Washington (state) Lacey, Washington, United States
Win 4-1-1 United States Jerome "Mole" Hill PTS 8 06/11/1989 Montana Butte, Montana, United States
Win 23-25-4 United States J.J. Cottrell UD 10 25/09/1989 Montana Billings, Montana, United States
Draw 4-15 United States Trent Surratt TD 1 10/08/1989 Montana Billings, Montana, United States
Loss 36-8 United States James Salerno TKO 6 31/05/1988 Italy Milan, Lombardia, Italy
Loss 21-2-5 Germany Ralf "Rocky II" Rocchigiani PTS 10 26/04/1988 Germany Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Loss 21-1 France Taoufik Belbouli TKO 4 10/10/1987 France Paris, France
Loss 15-0 United States Virgil "Quicksilver" Hill KO 1 01/05/1987 North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States Camel knocked out at 2:52 of the first round.
Loss 79-9-6 Uruguay Jose Maria Flores Burlon UD 10 08/08/1986 Argentina Pergamino, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Draw 8-4-3 United States Jimmy "Million Dollar" Bills PTS 10 22/05/1986 Idaho Boise, Idaho, United States
Loss 20-0 United States Lee Roy "Solid Gold" Murphy TKO 14 06/10/1984 Montana Billings, Montana, United States IBF World Cruiserweight Title.
Win 25-3 Canada Roddy MacDonald TKO 5 13/12/1983 Canada Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada IBF World Cruiserweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:49 of the fifth round.
Win 13-0 United States Rocky Sekorski KO 9 21/05/1983 Montana Billings, Montana, United States IBF USBA Cruiserweight Title.
Loss 14-0 Kenya John Odhiambho TKO 2 11/02/1983 Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 10-7 Dominican Republic Leonardo Rodgers TKO 5 30/06/1982 Nebraska Omaha, Nebraska, United States IBF USBA Cruiserweight Title.
Loss 31-2 Puerto Rico Carlos "Sugar" De Leon TKO 8 24/02/1982 New Jersey Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States WBC World Cruiserweight Title.
Win 14-5 Nigeria Bash Ali PTS 12 02/10/1981 California San Francisco, California, United States IBF USBA Cruiserweight Title.
Win 17-1 United States Willie "The Cannon" Shannon TKO 3 11/08/1981 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Nevada Cruiserweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:27 of the third round.
Win 7-6 United States Rahim Muhammad UD 12 05/05/1981 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Nevada Cruiserweight Title. 120-107, 120-108, 120-107.
Win 7-21-1 United States Ron Draper TKO 6 24/04/1981 Montana Billings, Montana, United States
Loss 29-2 Puerto Rico Carlos "Sugar" De Leon MD 15 25/11/1980 Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana, United States WBC World Cruiserweight Title. 142-145, 145-145, 141-145.
Win 24-2-2 Croatia Mate Parlov UD 15 31/03/1980 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States WBC World Cruiserweight Title. 144-141, 148-141, 149-141.
Draw 24-2-1 Croatia Mate Parlov PTS 15 08/12/1979 Croatia Split, Croatia WBC World Cruiserweight Title. 147-142, 143-143, 144-144.
Win 14-4 Mexico David "Maceton" Cabrera KO 3 30/08/1979 Texas McAllen, Texas, United States
Win 33-19-1 United States Macka Foley TKO 2 01/08/1979 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17-3-1 United States Bill Sharkey UD 12 05/06/1979 Montana Missoula, Montana, United States NABF Cruiserweight Title.
Win 10-17-5 United States David "The King" Smith KO 9 24/04/1979 Montana Missoula, Montana, United States
Win 8-4-1 United States Jim "Beam" Ingram PTS 10 28/02/1979 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5-3 United States Bob Heflin KO 2 03/01/1979 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 22-20-3 United States Tom "Bomb" Bethea KO 2 11/11/1978 Montana Missoula, Montana, United States
Win 18-4-1 United States Dale Grant PTS 12 13/09/1978 Montana Butte, Montana, United States
Win 26-4-1 United States Ibar Arrington UD 10 22/08/1978 Idaho Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
Win 8-9 United States Chuck Warfield KO 5 27/05/1978 Montana Missoula, Montana, United States
Win 7-8-1 United States Pete McIntyre PTS 10 07/04/1978 Montana Butte, Montana, United States
Win 14-16-1 The Bahamas "Beautiful" Bobby Lloyd PTS 10 09/03/1978 Kansas Wichita, Kansas, United States
Win 9-13-5 United States David "The King" Smith PTS 10 08/02/1978 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 39-26-4 United States Karl Zurheide RTD 7 08/12/1977 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Zurheide retired after the seventh round.
Win 63-25-7 Canada Ron Wilson PTS 10 29/08/1977 Montana Pablo, Montana, United States
Loss 12-10-1 United States Danny Brewer TKO 6 28/06/1977 Washington (state) Seattle, Washington, United States
Win 28-8-3 Canada Gary Summerhays UD 12 06/05/1977 Montana Missoula, Montana, United States
Draw 9-3 United States Dale Grant PTS 10 15/02/1977 Washington (state) Seattle, Washington, United States
Win 8-4 United States Lionel "The Train" Ford UD 10 26/01/1977 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10-3-1 United States Larry Castaneda UD 10 20/11/1976 Washington (state) Seattle, Washington, United States
Win 13-1-1 United States Matthew Saad Muhammad MD 10 23/10/1976 Montana Missoula, Montana, United States 100-91, 98-96, 96-96.
Win 5-5 United States Johnny Townsend UD 10 25/09/1976 Washington (state) Spokane, Washington, United States
Win 5-4 United States Johnny Townsend UD 10 28/08/1976 Montana Missoula, Montana, United States
Loss 11-1-1 United States Matthew Saad Muhammad SD 10 17/07/1976 California Stockton, California, United States
Win 28-17-1 Puerto Rico Angel "of Death" Oquendo UD 10 08/05/1976 Montana Missoula, Montana, United States
Win 43-11-5 Mexico Rafael "Raffles" Gutierrez UD 10 07/04/1976 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 2-2 United States Don Meloncon TKO 3 18/02/1976 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 1-1 United States Pedro Vega KO 1 14/01/1976 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8-4 United States Danny Brewer UD 10 19/11/1975 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15-17-5 United States "Irish" Terry Lee TKO 8 24/09/1975 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:46 of the eighth round.
Win 62-23-7 Canada Ron Wilson UD 10 20/08/1975 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 2-4 United States Fernando Lee Jones RTD 6 28/05/1975 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 23-25-3 United States Amado Vasquez KO 3 30/04/1975 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4-14-2 United States "Cracker" Jack Johnson UD 8 02/04/1975 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 0-1 United States Chico Valdez KO 2 19/02/1975 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5-3 United States "Curious" George Clark TKO 4 22/01/1975 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:31 of the fourth round.
Win 9-7-1 United States James T. Jackson TKO 4 25/02/1974 Idaho Boise, Idaho, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:29 of the fourth round.
Win -- United States Joe Williamson TKO 1 25/06/1973 Montana Butte, Montana, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:19 of the first round.

Honors

In 2006 at the World Boxing Council's 44th annual convention WBC President José Sulaimán awarded Camel honorary champion status.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Marvin Camel". Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  2. ↑ http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/territory/new-biography-helps-marvin-camel-fight-time-obscurity/article_6233ac27-167c-5357-9748-57c6bca92b2b.html?comment_form=true
  3. ↑ http://montanamagazine.com/warrior-in-the-ring-looking-back-with-marvin-camel/
  4. ↑ LaTray, Chris (5 March 2015). "Lost Champ (Book review)". Missoula Independent. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  5. ↑ http://bigskyjournal.com/Article/books-reading-the-west
  6. ↑ http://flatheadbeacon.com/2015/01/02/resurrecting-legend-marvin-camel/

http://montanamagazine.com/warrior-in-the-ring-looking-back-with-marvin-camel/

External links

Preceded by
Inaugural champion		 World Cruiserweight Champion
March 31, 1980 – November 25, 1980 		Succeeded by
Carlos DeLeon
IBF Cruiserweight Champion
February 13, 1983 – October 6, 1984 		Succeeded by
Lee Roy Murphy
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