RIP Mate Parlov

[My2Sense]

Parlov has died today, July 30, reportedly from lung cancer. He was 59 years old.

Parlov held the WBC light-heavyweight title in the late '70s, winning the vacant crown with a knockout of unbeaten Miguel Angel Cuello, successfully defending it against former champion John Conteh, and then losing it to Marvin Johnson. He also has the distinction of having competed in two of the first official cruiserweight fights ever, drawing to and then losing to Marvin Camel in fights for the vacant WBC title. He also fought a young Saad Muhammad twice, losing to him once and then drawing with him. He retired after the second Camel fight. He finished his career with a respectable 24-3-2 record.

As an amateur, he won the Gold Medal in the light-heavyweight division in the Munich Olympics.

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Although I'm familiar with Parlov's reputation and status in the late '70s, I didn't see much of him fight. He seemed to be considered a good fighter at the time he held the title, and it was considered a big upset when Marvin Johnson beat him. I've heard reports that both his win over Conteh and his draw with Saad Muhammad were both hotly disputed by many who saw them.

Of those of you who have seen Parlov, what did you think of him? What kind of fighter was he, and how good do you think he really was?

[caesar]

Great amateur career. 2 times Europian light-heavyweight champion, olympic and world amateur champion as well. Very dominating amateur for 6-7 years. No losses, not even seious competitor. In Olympic games final TKO Cuban Carillo after a 4 knockdawns in very entertaining fight. Parlov was down once in first round. Also great match against Russian star Karataiev, in world champions final, who he dominated on points. (Karataiev in previous match TKO young Leon Spinks). Before went pro, he was unbeaten for 7 years. Last loss was disputed against British legend Chriss Finnegan in 1968 Olympic 3:2. That was middleweight division.

As pro beat Adolfini for Europian title by TKO, and Kuelo, Argentinian by KO for world title. By then he was strugglin to make a weight for light heavyweight. That's why he lost to up and coming Marvin Johnson with relative ease. Konteh fight was close, but deserving. Saad Mohammed fights (or Mathew Franklyn at that time), close fights, Franklyn deserved probably to win both, but reputation of Parlov got him draw.

Great fighter of that era. RIP

Sorry for spelling, didn't have a time to edit

[slakka]

Had the most bizarre way of swaying his his extended jab.