Born Dwight Braxton, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, a two-division world champion and Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Famer, died on Friday on the age of 72. Qawi’s passing comes on the finish of a years-long well being battle with dementia.
The Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame launched an announcement studying, “Dwight Muhammad Qawi’s relentless model made him a fan favourite and considered one of boxing’s hottest stars of the Eighties,” mentioned Government Director Ed Brophy. “The Corridor of Fame affords our condolences to the Qawi household and joins the boxing world in mourning his passing.”
Qawi (41-11-1, 25 KOs), a relentless strain fighter, gained the WBC gentle heavyweight title and WBA cruiserweight title throughout his 20-year profession. Braxton modified his title after his conversion to Islam.
Qawi was raised throughout the Delaware River from Philadelphia in Camden, New Jersey, a metropolis recognized for poverty and crime. He was 14 years outdated when he was first arrested, and he would go on to serve 5 ½ years in jail for the armed theft earlier than turning professional at age 25.
Whereas in Rahway State Jail, he joined the jail’s boxing program, honed his abilities, and seemed to show professional upon his launch.
Nicknamed “The Camden Buzzsaw”, he turned professional in 1978 and went an unremarkable 1-1-1 in his first 3 fights over 7 months. Nonetheless, he slowly improved and would finally go on to a Corridor of Fame profession that noticed him face an impressive listing of opponents as he captured 2 world titles.
Throughout his run, Qawi confronted Michael Spinks, Evander Holyfield (twice), Matthew Saad Muhammad (twice), Mike Rossman, James Scott (again in Rahway Jail), Leon Spinks, Ossie Ocassio, and George Foreman, to call a couple of.
In retirement, Qawi grew to become a counselor at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility and was closely concerned in group outreach, together with a “Keep in College” program for at-risk youth in Camden.
Qawi got here from a tough begin in life to go on to a tremendous Corridor of Fame profession honed in a jail boxing program. Qawi, as nicely spoken and pleasant out of the ring as he was relentless and rugged in it, is a main instance of overcoming tough odds and never letting your begin dictate your finish.
Relaxation in peace, Champion.
