Dwight Muhammad Qawi, a Hall of Fame boxer who rose from prison inmate to two-division world champion, has died at the age of 72.
His sister, Wanda King, confirmed that Qawi passed away on Friday, July 25, after a five-year battle with dementia.
“He had a heart of gold,” King said. “He fought his illness the same way he fought in the ring — with everything he had. He went out like a champ, right to the end.”
Born Dwight Braxton in Baltimore and raised in Camden, New Jersey, Qawi discovered boxing while serving time for armed robbery at Rahway State Prison. He joined the prison boxing program and, upon his release in 1978, turned professional at the age of 25.
In 1982, after converting to Islam, he legally changed his name to Dwight Muhammad Qawi. He gained international attention the previous year by stopping Matthew Saad Muhammad in the 10th round to win the WBC light heavyweight title. He defeated Saad again in a rematch eight months later, this time in six rounds.
After a 1983 loss to Michael Spinks, the 5-foot-7 Qawi—nicknamed “The Camden Buzzsaw” for his relentless style—moved up in weight. He captured the WBA cruiserweight title by defeating Piet Crous in 1985. The following year, he lost a close, 15-round battle to a young Evander Holyfield in a fight now considered a cruiserweight classic.
Qawi later competed as a heavyweight, including a notable bout against George Foreman, who stopped him in seven rounds. Qawi retired in 1998 at the age of 46 with a record of 41 wins (25 by knockout), 11 losses, and one draw.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.
Outside the ring, Qawi devoted himself to giving back—working as a boxing trainer, youth mentor, and counselor for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
Tributes have poured in following the news of his death.
“The WBC joins the global boxing community in prayer for the eternal rest of Dwight Muhammad Qawi,” the organization said in a statement. “He found his love for boxing while serving a prison sentence and became WBC light heavyweight champion. A great father, grandfather, and a role model. Rest in peace, Champ.”
