Boxing greats revisit history

DUBROVNIK/CAVTAT, Croatia - It was 27 years ago on December 8, in the city of Split, of now former Yugoslavia, an Indian from the Flathead Reservation by the name of Marvin Camel, was about to make boxing history. It was the World Boxing Council's inaugural Cruiserweight division title fight between Mate Parlov and Marvin Camel. The 15-round bout ended in a disappointing draw and subsequently Camel claimed the inaugural title in a rematch three months later in Las Vegas.

Camel has wanted to return to the place where he and local boxing hero Mate Parlov, sparred the first-ever Cruiserweight title fight and made history. In an embattled country partially between Serbians, Hungarians, Croatians and Slovakians, Croatia gained their independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.

On the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, the opening banquet for the 44th annual WBC Convention went off in grand style the first week of November. With nearly 400 delegates, champions and guests in attendance, the convention was guaranteed to be a knockout success.

An awards ceremony honoring various past and current champions in attendance was deemed to be "the event" of the convention. Marvelous Marvin Hagler, who was presented with an honorary WBC ring for his career accomplishments and former WBC super middleweight Mauro Galvano of Italy, who received a WBC medallion for his championship title, were among those honored besides Parlov and Camel.

Conference attendees put on their dancing and running shoes as they danced the night away and tracked down the various champions to get a cherished photo or autograph. It was an unforgettable night for Camel and mostly everyone else in attendance.

WBC Convention organizer Harry Gorian held a separate press conference at the Hotel Croatia in the picturesque village of Cavtat, with special guests "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler, native Croatian son Mate Parlov, and Marvin Camel. Although Hagler's presence created a commotion among boxing fans and international journalists alike, it was on Camel and Parlov who were in the spotlight.

As Parlov and Camel sat together for the first time since 1980 and watched highlights of their fight, they both acknowledged their competitor's ability.

"I've seen film of this fight a million times. I didn't have any special feelings because I've been out of boxing for some time now... Marvin was a very fair fighter and a very good fighter. Because of that, I had a great respect for him. Definitely, I was very happy to see him once more, without gloves of course! This occasion made it worth coming here," said a reserved Parlov.

As for Camel, he says he'll never forget that fight. "It was very inspiring to me because it was a world title fight. I fought a great fighter. I'm not saying I beat him decisively, but it was a good fight all the way through," stated Camel.

Camel, who will celebrate his double-five birthday on Christmas Eve this year, says he'll never be out of the fight business. "No matter how old I get, there will always be a love there. I started off loving fights, boxing. I didn't make the money a lot of other people made, but it's trips like this; brings back the old memories and they're not bad memories. I have fights in Montana that I watch and it puts something back into me, it gives me life," he said.

Hagler acknowledged both Parlov and Camel as being a little before his fame and that both boxers showed him how to be a professional fighter. "These two guys were banging it out and they showed what it takes - the heart, determination, hard work. All these things make a great champion. I'm very proud to be sitting here next to these two great champions," praised Hagler.

"It's just an honor, knowing that we've all been warriors and we've all been through the tests and there are no more tests. We're all retired now and relaxing, but life is not relaxing," Hagler stated.

Camel has since returned back to the States, weary from the travel and all the glory. He currently makes his home in Florida, and vows someday to return to reservation.

For more information on the WBC or the convention, visit the web site at www.fightnews.com.