Marvin Camel

Last updated

Marvin Camel
Born (1951-12-24) December 24, 1951 (age 73)
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach79 in (201 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights62
Wins45
Wins by KO21
Losses13
Draws4

Marvin Camel (born December 24, 1951) is a Native American former professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1990. He was the first cruiserweight world champion, having held the WBC title in 1980 and the IBF title from 1983 to 1984. [1] He was also the first Native American boxer to become a major world champion. [2]

Contents

Early life

Marvin Camel was born December 24, 1951, in Ronan, Montana, part of the Flathead Indian Reservation. His father was Henry Camel Sr. (né Campbell), an African-American WWII Navy veteran, and his mother was Alice Nenemay of the Pend d'Oreilles Native Americans. Through his mother, Marvin Camel is a registered member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. [3] [4]

Camel grew up in a house with no running water and a wood stove. He had 13 siblings, including one half-sibling from a different man. The elder Camel, who worked as a ranch hand 12 hours a day every day, was a strict disciplinarian who would beat Marvin with a belt. Marvin and most of his siblings were bullied on the reservation due to their partial African-American heritage, and they got into a lot of fights growing up; his half-sibling was the only one who wasn't black. [4]

In high school, Camel was a star athlete, having set a school record in track and being all-conference in football and basketball, as well as a stint at baseball. He took up boxing at 15 and became a local AAU and Golden Gloves champion and made the national finals of both a combined 15 times. [4]

Professional boxing career

Marvin Camel fought Bill Sharkey in the first cruiserweight title fight ever when the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) sanctioned a bout for its continental title on June 5, 1979. [5] Camel won the match, which led to the World Boxing Council (WBC) sanctioning a cruiserweight title fight between Marvin Camel and Mate Parlov on December 8, 1979. Camel fought Parlov in Yugoslavia to a draw in the first ever cruiserweight world title bout. In the rematch, in Las Vegas, Camel beat Parlov for the vacant WBC world Cruiserweight title in 1980, losing the title in his first defense, to Carlos De León who replaced David Pearce. After losing in a rematch to De Leon, he became, in 1983, the IBF's first world champion, by beating Roddy McDonald who also replaced David Pearce after the BBBoC would not sanction the Cruiserweight division in the UK and thus becoming world Cruiserweight champion for the second time when he claimed that organization's title. He later 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.” [6]

He is the subject of a biography released in December 2014, titled 'Warrior in the Ring' by Brian D'Ambrosio. [7] [8] The book was nominated for a High Plains Book Award and several other awards.

In December 2014, D'Ambrosio and Camel attended the 52nd Annual World Boxing Convention. [9]

Brian D'Ambrosio, with Marvin Camel, "Warrior in the Ring" Brian D'Ambrosio, with Marvin Camel, "Warrior in the Ring".jpg
Brian D'Ambrosio, with Marvin Camel, "Warrior in the Ring"

Honors

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

Professional boxing record

62 fights45 wins13 losses
By knockout218
By decision245
Draws4
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
62Loss45–13–4Eddie TaylorMD1011 Jun 1990Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
61Loss45–12–4Joe HippTKO6 (10)2 Dec 1989Saint Martin's Pavilion, Lacey, Washington, U.S.
60Win45–11–4Jerome HillUD86 Nov 1989 Civic Center, Butte, Montana, U.S.
59Win44–11–4J.J. CottrellUD1025 Sep 1989Civic Center, Billings, Montana, U.S.
58Draw43–11–4Trent SurrattTD1 (?), 1:1310 Aug 1989Four Seasons Arena, Great Falls, Montana, U.S.
57Loss43–11–3James SalernoTKO631 May 1988 Milan, Italy
56Loss43–10–3 Ralf Rocchigiani PTS1026 Apr 1988 Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
55Loss43–9–3 Taoufik Belbouli TKO410 Oct 1987Zenith Palais, Paris, France
54Loss43–8–3 Virgil Hill KO1 (10), 2:521 May 1987City Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S.
53Loss43–7–3 José María Flores Burlón UD108 Aug 1986 Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
52Draw43–6–3Jimmy BillsPTS1022 May 1986 Boise, Idaho, U.S.
51Loss43–6–2 Lee Roy Murphy RTD14 (15), 3:006 Oct 1984MetraPark, Billings, Montana, U.S.Lost IBF cruiserweight title
50Win43–5–2Roddy MacDonaldTKO5 (15), 2:4913 Dec 1983Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaWon inaugural IBF cruiserweight title
49Win42–5–2 Rocky Sekorski RTD8 (12)21 May 1983MetraPark, Billings, Montana, U.S.Retained USBA cruiserweight title
48Loss41–5–2John OdhiambhoTKO2 (8)11 Feb 1983K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
47Win41–4–2Leonardo RodgersRTD4 (12)30 Jun 1982City Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.Retained USBA cruiserweight title
46Loss40–4–2 Carlos de León TKO8 (15)24 Feb 1982Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For WBC cruiserweight title
45Win40–3–2Bash AliUD122 Oct 1981Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.Won USBA cruiserweight title
44Win39–3–2Willie ShannonTKO3 (12), 0:2711 Aug 1981 Showboat Casino and Hotel, Sport Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained Nevada cruiserweight title
43Win38–3–2Rahim MuhammadUD125 May 1981 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant Nevada cruiserweight title
42Win37–3–2Ron DraperTKO6 (10), 1:4224 Apr 1981MetraPark, Billings, Montana, U.S.
41Loss36–3–2 Carlos de León MD15 25 Nov 1980 Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.Lost WBC cruiserweight title
40Win36–2–2 Mate Parlov UD1531 Mar 1980Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Won inaugural WBC cruiserweight title
39Draw35–2–2 Mate Parlov MD158 Dec 1979Sportski Centar Gripe, Split, Yugoslavia For inaugural WBC cruiserweight title
38Win35–2–1David CabreraKO3 (10), 1:2430 Aug 1979 McAllen, Texas, U.S.
37Win34–2–1Macka FoleyTKO2 (10), 1:521 Aug 1979Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
36Win33–2–1Bill SharkeyUD125 Jun 1979Adams Field House, Missoula, Montana, U.S.Won vacant NABF cruiserweight title
35Win32–2–1David SmithTKO9 (10)24 Apr 1979 University of Montana Fieldhouse, Missoula, Montana, U.S.
34Win31–2–1Jim IngramUD1028 Feb 1979 Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
33Win30–2–1Bob HeflinKO2 (10), 2:013 Jan 1979Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
32Win29–2–1Tom BetheaKO2 (12), 2:3011 Nov 1978 Missoula, Montana, U.S.
31Win28–2–1Dale GrantUD1213 Sep 1978Civic Center, Butte, Montana, U.S.
30Win27–2–1Ibar ArringtonUD1022 Aug 1978North Idaho JC Gym, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
29Win26–2–1Chuck WarfieldKO5 (10)27 May 1978Saint Ignatius Highschool Gym, Missoula, Montana, U.S.
28Win25–2–1Pete McIntyreUD107 Apr 1978Civic Center, Butte, Montana, U.S.
27Win24–2–1Bobby LloydUD109 Mar 1978Century II Convention Center, Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
26Win23–2–1David SmithUD108 Feb 1978 Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
25Win22–2–1Karl ZurheideRTD7 (10), 3:008 Dec 1977 Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
24Win21–2–1Ron WilsonUD1029 Aug 1977Pony Palace Arena, Pablo, Montana, U.S.
23Loss20–2–1Danny BrewerTKO6 (10)28 Jun 1977 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
22Win20–1–1 Gary Summerhays UD126 May 1977 Adams Field House, Missoula, Montana, U.S.
21Draw19–1–1Dale GrantPTS1015 Feb 1977Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
20Win19–1Lionel FordUD1026 Jan 1977 Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
19Win18–1Larry CastanedaUD1020 Nov 1976Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
18Win17–1 Matthew Saad Muhammad MD1023 Oct 1976 Adams Field House, Missoula, Montana, U.S.
17Win16–1Johnny TownsendUD1025 Sep 1976Coliseum, Spokane, Washington, U.S.
16Win15–1Johnny TownsendUD1028 Aug 1976Eagles Aerie, Missoula, Montana, U.S.
15Loss14–1 Matthew Saad Muhammad SD1017 Jul 1976 Stockton, California, U.S.
14Win14–0Angel OquendoUD108 May 1976Adams Field House, Missoula, Montana, U.S.
13Win13–0Rafael GutierrezUD107 Apr 1976Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
12Win12–0Don MelonconTKO3 (10), 2:2418 Feb 1976Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
11Win11–0Pedro VegaKO1 (10), 3:1014 Jan 1976 Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
10Win10–0Danny BrewerUD1019 Nov 1975Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
9Win9–0Terry LeeTKO8 (10), 2:4624 Sep 1975Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
8Win8–0Ron WilsonUD1020 Aug 1975Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
7Win7–0Fernando Lee JonesRTD6 (10)28 May 1975Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
6Win6–0Amado VasquezKO3 (10), 1:1430 Apr 1975Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
5Win5–0Jack JohnsonUD82 Apr 1975Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
4Win4–0Chico ValdezKO2 (6), 1:5619 Feb 1975Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
3Win3–0George ClarkTKO4 (6), 1:3122 Jan 1975Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
2Win2–0James T. JacksonTKO4 (6), 2:2925 Feb 1974Fairgrounds Arena, Boise, Idaho, U.S.
1Win1–0Joe WilliamsonTKO1 (4), 2:1425 Jun 1973Civic Center, Butte, Montana, U.S.

See also

References

  1. "Marvin Camel - Lineal Cruiserweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  2. Hansen, Kyle (August 5, 2021). "Homecoming: World champion boxer Marvin Camel comes full circle, reunites with title belts". Montana Sports.
  3. Kader, Charles (March 13, 2015). "Charles Kader: Amazing story of boxing champion Marvin Camel". IndianZ.
  4. 1 2 3 Izenberg, Jerry (April 20, 2020). "Mixed blood, sweat and tears: The long, strange and untold saga of boxing champion Marvin Camel". NJ.com.
  5. d'Ambrosio, Brian (August 3, 2023). Warrior in the Ring: The life of Marvin Camel, Native American world champion boxer by Brian D'Ambrosio. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN   978-1-60639-083-2 . Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  6. "New biography helps Marvin Camel fight time, obscurity". February 28, 2015.
  7. "Montana Magazine". Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  8. LaTray, Chris (March 5, 2015). "Lost Champ (Book review)". Missoula Independent. ProQuest   1661596025.
  9. "Resurrecting the Legend of Marvin Camel". January 2, 2015.
Achievements
Inaugural Champion WBC cruiserweight champion
March 31, 1980 – November 25, 1980
Succeeded by
IBF cruiserweight champion
December 13, 1983 – October 6, 1984
Succeeded by