Boxing Champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi Passes Away at 72
Dwight Muhammad Qawi, the renowned Hall of Fame boxer who rose to fame after taking up the sport while incarcerated, has passed away at the age of 72. His sister, Wanda King, confirmed that he died on Friday, following a five-year battle with dementia.
Born Dwight Braxton in Baltimore, Maryland, Qawi grew up in Camden, New Jersey. His boxing journey began during his time at Rahway State Prison, where he participated in a boxing program while serving a sentence for armed robbery. After his release in 1978, he turned professional at the age of 25.
In December 1981, Qawi made a significant mark in the boxing world by defeating Matthew Saad Muhammad in the 10th round to win the WBC light heavyweight title. He secured a rematch victory against Saad just eight months later, stopping him in six rounds. Following a loss to Michael Spinks, Qawi, who stood at 5 feet 7 inches tall and earned the nickname “The Camden Buzzsaw,” moved up in weight class to claim the WBA cruiserweight title from Piet Crous in July 1985.
His reign as cruiserweight champion faced a challenge in July 1986 when he lost the title to future heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield after a grueling 15-round match. Qawi later ventured into the heavyweight division, where he faced notable opponents, including a bout against George Foreman, who stopped him in seven rounds.
Qawi retired from professional boxing in 1998 with a career record of 41 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw, including 25 victories by knockout. His contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004, solidifying his legacy as one of boxing’s greats.
After hanging up his gloves, Qawi dedicated himself to training aspiring boxers and advocating for youth, as well as working as a drug and alcohol counselor. His journey from prison to the pinnacle of boxing serves as an inspiring story of redemption and resilience.
The boxing community mourns the loss of a champion who not only excelled in the ring but also positively impacted many lives outside of it.
