by RONAN — School District No. 30/Ronan Community Hall of Fame Committee is pleased and honored to announce the inaugural class for induction into the “Ronan Hall of Fame.” The Committee considered many worthy candidates before choosing the seven individuals and two teams making up the first class.
“Distinguished Athlete or Coach” Category
Marvin Camel (Salish/Kootenai)
Marvin Camel became boxing’s first Native American world champion in 1980 when he defeated Mate Parlov in Las Vegas for the World Boxing Council Cruiserweight Belt. In 1983 Camel added the International Boxing Federation’s Cruiserweight Title. Camel is the only world boxing champion to come out of the state of Montana. When he retired from professional boxing in 1990, Camel had compiled a 45-13-5 record. He also fought as an amateur, and in 1971 defeated eventual Olympic Gold Medalist Sugar Ray Seales in 1971.The seventh of 14 children, Marvin graduated from Ronan in 1970.Camel also excelled in football, basketball and track for the Chiefs, once scoring 34 points in a varsity basketball game.
A community Induction Celebration will be held Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center. The public is invited to take part in celebration activities. A short recognition ceremony will take place during the Ronan/Polson basketball games later that day in the Ronan Event Center.
Awesome, thanks for the information.
Truely enspiring learning about my ancestors.i cant Imagine the battles he endured as a native boxer!u gotta twice as good to make it …hiy hiy.
Congatulation.Marvin Camal