Boxing Across the Nation: Montana – 1st Cruiserweight Champ Marvin Camel
In this ‘Boxing Across the Nation’ we will look at the great state of Montana and the legendary Marvin Camel
Boxing has been a part of the American sports scene since the 1700s by way of England. It started by infiltrating the larger port towns before eventually working its way into the lexicon of America. Now it showcases some of the most talented combat sports athletes in the world. We will embark on a 50-part saga exploring the best boxers representing the United States. Some states will have more athletes to choose from than others, but the journey will be quite the ride.
Let’s embark on the journey by looking at an interesting fighter or bout from each state. Next, we look at our 26th entry, the state of Montana and the career of the first ever Cruiserweight champion, Marvin Camel.
Montana
Montana, the 41st state to join the Union, is currently ranked 47th in population among states in the Union. With a lack of population comes a lack in representation among the nation’s top sports. There are currently no professional teams among the “big four” American sports that have a representative within the borders of Montana. Even within the world of combat sports, there are not many representatives who call Montana home. One man stands head and shoulders above everyone else and that is the first ever Cruiserweight champion, Marvin Camel.
Early Career of Marvin Camel
Being half African American and half Native American made it a rough life growing up on the reservation for the 7th of 14 children, Marvin Camel. Camel was born December 24, 1951, in Ronan, Montana on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Flathead Nation land. Though Camel grew up in a very strict household, he credits that with helping him develop into the person he would become. An all-around star athlete growing up, by the age of 15, Camel was an AAU and Golden Gloves champion.
Camel spent most of his time actually training himself, being from such a rural area. As an amateur, Camel would go on to defeat Sugar Ray Seales in December 1971. Seales would later go on to be the only American boxer to earn gold in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games.
First Ever Cruiserweight Champion
Camel would go on to turn pro in June 1973. By June 1979, Camel would compete for his first championship after amassing a 32-2-1 record heading into the matchup. The matchup between Camel and Bill Sharkey would serve as the inaugural NABF cruiserweight championship matchup. Camel scored 120-108 on all three scorecards to earn the unanimous decision. After just two more fights, Camel would meet Yugoslavian-Croatian fighter Mate Parlov for the inaugural WBC cruiserweight title.
The two met on December 08, 1979, to a majority draw on Parlov’s home-turf of Split, Yugoslavia. Needing a champion for the newly created division, the two would rematch in Las Vegas on March 31, 1980. We would finally see a winner as Camel would earn the unanimous decision and become the first ever WBC Cruiserweight Champion.
After a few back-and-forth years in the early 1980’s, Camel would continue his trend of “firsts” by meeting Roddy MacDonald for the inaugural IBF cruiserweight title. The matchup, again, was on foreign territory as we met MacDonald in his home-country of Canada. In the fifth round of action, Camel would earn the knockout victory to become yet again, an inaugural cruiserweight champion. This would serve as really the last golden moment of Camel’s in-ring career.
Reunion With Championships
August 2021 may have been the sweetest moment for Camel to wear his championship belts, even better than the day they were won. Approximately 30 years prior his IBF and WBC Cruiserweight titles were stolen along with his headdress he would often wear to the ring. In winter 2020/2021 the important items were located in an abandoned car at a junk yard just a short time away from being crushed and lost forever. Ken, Camel’s brother, had the belts restored and a ceremony was held to return Camel with his inaugural championships. Not only does Camel serve as an inaugural champion but he also serves as Montana boxing and what it hopes to become.
Check out the 25 states we have covered by clicking below:
Alaska-Hector Camacho vs John Montes Card
Arizona-Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal
Arkansas-The Tragic Story of Sonny Liston
California-The Underappreciated Career of Andre Ward
Colorado-Boxing’s First Mega Star Jack Dempsey
Connecticut-Boxing’s Wins Leader Willie Pep
Delaware-The Night Dave Tiberi Almost Shocked the World
Florida-Pryor vs Arguello Showered In Controversy
Georgia-The Tragic Story of Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams
Hawaii-“The Hawaiian Punch” Brian Viloria
Idaho-The Sad Tale of Ed Sanders
Illinois-“The Drunken Master” Emanuel Augustus
Indiana-The Life and Antics of Kid McCoy
Iowa-Michael Nunn: In the Ring and in the Prison
Kansas-Jess Willard: “Pottawatomie Giant” Lives in Boxing History
Kentucky-Davey Moore: Losing It All In The Ring
Louisiana-Harry Wills: Boxing’s Greatest Injustice
Maine-Liston/Ali II: Putting A State On The Map
Maryland- Joe Gans: First 20th Century African American Champion
Massachusetts-CTE and the Life of Paul Pender
Minnesota-“The Other Guy” Tommy Gibbons
Mississippi-LHW GOAT Archie Moore
