Dwight Muhammad Qawi | |
---|---|
Born | Dwight Braxton January 5, 1953 |
Other names | Camden Buzzsaw |
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | |
Height | 5 ft 6.5 in (169 cm) [1] |
Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 53 |
Wins | 41 |
Wins by KO | 25 |
Losses | 11 |
Draws | 1 |
Dwight Muhammad Qawi (born Dwight Braxton; January 5, 1953) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1978 to 1998. He was a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBC and Ring magazine light heavyweight titles from 1981 to 1983, and the WBA cruiserweight title from 1985 to 1986. Qawi was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004. [2]
Qawi, then known as Dwight Braxton, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but grew up in Camden, New Jersey, where he got involved with crime at a young age. He was eventually convicted of armed robbery and spent around five years in prison. [3]
It was in Rahway State Prison that Braxton found his place in life. The prison had an extensive boxing program and one of its inmates, James Scott, was a light heavyweight title contender who fought several times inside the prison itself. Braxton took up the sport, and when he was released from prison in 1978, immediately became a professional boxer. Qawi's style was most often likened to Joe Frazier and with good reason as he had trained in Frazier's Philadelphia gym as a professional. He converted to Islam in the early 80s and had his name changed from Dwight Braxton to Dwight Muhammad Qawi.
He went 1-1-1 in his first three pro fights, but then reeled off 14 straight victories to move into the world rankings at light heavyweight. The last of those wins came on September 5, 1981, when Braxton returned to Rahway to fight Scott, with the winner promised a shot at Matthew Saad Muhammad's WBC world championship belt. Braxton won a unanimous 10-round decision.
On December 19 of the same year, Braxton faced Saad Muhammad in Atlantic City. Braxton was the underdog against Saad, one of the most popular fighters of his generation and a fellow future Hall of Famer, but Braxton defeated him on a 10th-round technical knockout and became a world champion for the first time. [4] It was shortly after this that he announced his conversion to Islam and changed his name.
He defended the title three times in the next 15 months, knocking out Jerry Martin, Saad Muhammad a second time and Eddie Davis. On March 18, 1983, he lost a close but unanimous decision to WBA champion Michael Spinks in a unification bout.
Qawi felt that making the division's 175-pound weight limit had drained him physically, and resolved to seek another world title in the newly created cruiserweight division. Freed of the need to fight to keep his weight down, Qawi reeled off another series of wins and claimed the WBA cruiserweight title on July 7, 1985, knocking out Piet Crous in Crous' native South Africa.
He won two more fights, including a victory over former world heavyweight titlist Leon Spinks, before accepting a challenge from Olympian Evander Holyfield on July 12, 1986. The fight, in Holyfield's hometown of Atlanta, went the full 15 rounds with Holyfield winning a split decision.
After the loss to Holyfield, Qawi fought off and on for the next 12 years, but never regained a world title. He rematched with Holyfield in 1987 for the WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles, but was stopped in the fourth round.
After a short stint in the heavyweight ranks, where in 1988 he lost to George Foreman by knockout in seven rounds, being forced to quit from exhaustion, he tried to regain the cruiserweight title. On November 27, 1989, he dropped a split decision to Robert Daniels for Holyfield's vacated WBA title.
Qawi retired in 1999 at the age of 46, with a career record of 41 wins, 11 losses and one draw, with 25 wins by way of knockout. Currently, he works as a boxing trainer in New Jersey.
In 1998, Dwight began working at the Lighthouse, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Mays Landing, New Jersey. He works with both adults and adolescents and is a patient advocate. [5]
53 fights | 41 wins | 11 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 25 | 2 |
By decision | 16 | 9 |
Draws | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
53 | Loss | 41–11–1 | Tony LaRosa | UD | 8 | Nov 25, 1998 | Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. | |
52 | Win | 41–10–1 | Tyrone Demby | TKO | 2 | Jun 27, 1997 | Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
51 | Win | 40–10–1 | Earl Clark | UD | 6 | May 8, 1997 | Boys and Girls Club, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. | |
50 | Loss | 39–10–1 | Nate Miller | UD | 10 | Oct 13, 1992 | The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
49 | Win | 39–9–1 | Dave Fiddler | TKO | 2 (8), 2:59 | Jul 18, 1992 | The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
48 | Loss | 38–9–1 | Arthur Williams | UD | 10 | May 8, 1992 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
47 | Win | 38–8–1 | Ric Lainhart | TKO | 1 (10), 3:00 | Apr 7, 1992 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
46 | Win | 37–8–1 | Ricky Parkey | RTD | 8 (10), 3:00 | Nov 7, 1991 | Grand Hyatt, Washington, D.C., U.S. | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title |
45 | Win | 36–8–1 | Eddie Taylor | RTD | 4 (10), 3:00 | Jul 23, 1991 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
44 | Win | 35–8–1 | James Salerno | UD | 10 | Jun 11, 1991 | Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
43 | Win | 34–8–1 | Tommy Richardson | KO | 1 | Apr 20, 1991 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
42 | Win | 33–8–1 | Bert Gravley | TKO | 3 | Mar 2, 1991 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
41 | Loss | 32–8–1 | Mike Hunter | UD | 12 | Mar 16, 1990 | Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | Lost WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title |
40 | Loss | 32–7–1 | Robert Daniels | SD | 12 | Nov 27 1989 | Pavillon Baltard, Nogent-le-Phaye, France | For vacant WBA cruiserweight title |
39 | Win | 32–6–1 | Everett Martin | UD | 10 | May 22, 1989 | Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
38 | Win | 31–6–1 | Andre McCall | UD | 12 | Apr 18, 1989 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title |
37 | Win | 30–6–1 | Tyrone Booze | MD | 10 | Feb 15, 1989 | Pennsylvania Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
36 | Win | 29–6–1 | Olian Alexander | TKO | 3 (10), 0:53 | Nov 23, 1988 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
35 | Loss | 28–6–1 | George Foreman | TKO | 7 (10), 1:51 | Mar 19, 1988 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
34 | Loss | 28–5–1 | Evander Holyfield | KO | 4 (15), 2:30 | Dec 5, 1987 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | For WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles |
33 | Win | 28–4–1 | Lee Roy Murphy | TKO | 6 (10), 1:30 | Aug 15, 1987 | Parking du Nouveau Port, Saint-Tropez, France | |
32 | Loss | 27–4–1 | Ossie Ocasio | MD | 10 | May 15, 1987 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
31 | Win | 27–3–1 | Narcisco Maldonado | TKO | 4 (10), 1:42 | Feb 6, 1987 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
30 | Loss | 26–3–1 | Evander Holyfield | SD | 15 | Jul 12, 1986 | Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | Lost WBA cruiserweight title |
29 | Win | 26–2–1 | Leon Spinks | TKO | 6 (15), 2:56 | Mar 22, 1986 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBA cruiserweight title |
28 | Win | 25–2–1 | Rick Enis | KO | 1 (10), 1:54 | Jan 8, 1986 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
27 | Win | 24–2–1 | Piet Crous | KO | 11 (15), 1:47 | Jul 27, 1985 | Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa | Won WBA cruiserweight title |
26 | Win | 23–2–1 | Michael Greer | UD | 10 | Feb 27, 1985 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
25 | Win | 22–2–1 | Stanley Ross | UD | 10 | Dec 12, 1984 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
24 | Win | 21–2–1 | Pat Cuillo | UD | 10 | Mar 21, 1984 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
23 | Win | 20–2–1 | Johnny Davis | SD | 10 | Sep 17, 1983 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
22 | Loss | 19–2–1 | Michael Spinks | UD | 15 | Mar 18, 1983 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Lost WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles; For WBA light heavyweight title |
21 | Win | 19–1–1 | Eddie Davis | TKO | 11 (15), 0:28 | Nov 20, 1982 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Retained WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles |
20 | Win | 18–1–1 | Matthew Saad Muhammad | TKO | 6 (15), 1:23 | Aug 7, 1982 | Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles |
19 | Win | 17–1–1 | Jerry Martin | TKO | 6 (15), 2:30 | Mar 21, 1982 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles |
18 | Win | 16–1–1 | Matthew Saad Muhammad | TKO | 10 (15), 2:54 | Dec 19, 1981 | Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles |
17 | Win | 15–1–1 | James Scott | UD | 10 | Sep 5, 1981 | Rahway State Prison, Woodbridge, New Jersey, U.S. | |
16 | Win | 14–1–1 | Mike Rossman | KO | 7 (10), 1:59 | May 31, 1981 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
15 | Win | 13–1–1 | Al Bolden | UD | 10 | Mar 5, 1981 | Pennsylvania Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
14 | Win | 12–1–1 | Johnny Davis | MD | 10 | Jan 8, 1981 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
13 | Win | 11–1–1 | Tony Mesoraca | TKO | 6 (10) | Nov 6, 1980 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 10–1–1 | Rick Jester | TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 14, 1980 | International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
11 | Win | 9–1–1 | Charles Smith | TKO | 4 (10) | Jun 5, 1980 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 8–1–1 | Leonard Langley | TKO | 2 (8), 2:47 | May 8, 1980 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
9 | Win | 7–1–1 | Cornell Chavis | TKO | 1, 1:12 | Mar 29, 1980 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 6–1–1 | Theunis Kok | KO | 10 (10) | Feb 4, 1980 | Kings Park Stadium, Durban, South Africa | |
7 | Win | 5–1–1 | Johnny Wilburn | UD | 8 | Nov 14, 1979 | Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
6 | Win | 4–1–1 | Donald Biff Cline | TKO | 1, 1:48 | Sep 26, 1979 | Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
5 | Win | 3–1–1 | Louis Butler | PTS | 8 | Jul 3, 1979 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 2–1–1 | Louis Butler | UD | 6 | May 25, 1979 | Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
3 | Loss | 1–1–1 | Johnny Davis | SD | 6 | Nov 2, 1978 | Audubon Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 1–0–1 | Lou Benson Jr. | PTS | 6 | Jun 3, 1978 | Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
1 | Draw | 0–0–1 | Leonard Langley | PTS | 6 | Apr 19, 1978 | D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Osvaldo "Ossie" Ocasio is a Puerto Rican former boxer who held the World Cruiserweight Championship from 1982 to 1984. He was also a Top Contender and Heavyweight Challenger in 1979. He scored notable wins against Former Cruiserweight Champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi as well as beating Top Heavyweight Contender Jimmy Young and Heavyweight Contender Pierre Coetzer, as well as drawing with Future Heavyweight Champion Michael Dokes. Nicknamed "Jaws", his peculiar nickname was the result of him accidentally biting another boxer during a sparring session.
Carlos De León, also known as "Sugar" De Leon, was a Puerto Rican boxer who made history by becoming the first cruiserweight to win the world title twice. Subsequently, he kept breaking his own record for the most times as cruiserweight champion by regaining the title on two further occasions.
Michael Spinks is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1988. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the undisputed light heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985, and the lineal heavyweight title from 1985 to 1988. As an amateur he won a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Evander Holyfield is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1984 and 2011. He reigned as the undisputed champion at cruiserweight in the late 1980s and at heavyweight in the early 1990s, and was the only boxer in history to win the undisputed championship in two weight classes in the "three belt era", a feat later surpassed by Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue and Oleksandr Usyk, who became two-weight undisputed champions in the four-belt era. Nicknamed "the Real Deal", Holyfield is the only four-time world heavyweight champion, having held the unified WBA, WBC, and IBF titles from 1990 to 1992, the WBA and IBF titles again from 1993 to 1994, the WBA title a third time from 1996 to 1999; the IBF title a third time from 1997 to 1999 and the WBA title for a fourth time from 2000 to 2001.
Leon Spinks was an American professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1995. In only his eighth professional fight, he won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 after defeating Muhammad Ali in a split decision, in what is considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Spinks was later stripped of the WBC title for facing Ali in an unapproved rematch seven months later, which he lost by a unanimous decision.
Matthew Saad Muhammad was an American professional boxer who was the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion of the World for two-and-a-half years.
Boxing in the 1980s was filled with important fights, events and personalities that shaped the sport. Boxing in the 1980s was shaped by many different situations, such as the continuous corporate battles between the different world sanctioning organizations, the void left by Muhammad Ali as the sport's ambassador and consequent search for a new boxing hero, the continuous presence of Don King as the sport's most famous promoter, the surge of rival promoters as Bob Arum, Butch Lewis and Murad Muhammad, and major rule changes. In 1986, Mike Tyson emerged as a fresh new face in the heavyweight division, which had seen a decline in champion quality level after Ali's retirement and, later on, after longtime WBC ruler Larry Holmes' prime. In addition, the IBF and WBO began operating.
During the 1970s, boxing was characterized by dominating champions and history-making rivalries. The decade had many superstars, who also had fierce rivals. Alexis Argüello, for example, who won the world Featherweight and Jr. Lightweight titles in the '70s, had to overcome Alfredo Escalera twice before the decade was over.
Michael Spinks vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi, billed as "The Brawl for it All", was a professional boxing match contested on March 18, 1983 for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship.
Cruiserweight, also referred to as junior heavyweight, is a weight class in professional boxing between light heavyweight and heavyweight. Before the advent of the current cruiserweight class, "light heavyweight" and "cruiserweight" were sometimes used interchangeably in the United Kingdom.
Jean-Marc Gilbert Mormeck is a French former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2014. He is a two-time unified world cruiserweight champion, having held the WBA, WBC and The Ring world titles twice between 2005 and 2007. He was the first boxer to hold unified cruiserweight title since Evander Holyfield in 1988, and the first fighter to hold The Ring cruiserweight title since Carlos De León in 1987. He was ranked by BoxRec as the world's top 10 cruiserweight from 2001 to 2005 and in 2007, and was ranked No.1 in 2003 and 2004. Mormeck also challenged for the unified world heavyweight title in 2012.
José María Flores Burlón is an Uruguayan former professional boxer. Flores Burlón had a total of 115 professional bouts. He challenged once for the WBC Cruiserweight title in 1988.
Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield, billed as Finally, was a professional boxing match fought between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson for the WBA heavyweight championship on November 9, 1996, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The bout was Tyson's first defence of the WBA title that he had won from Bruce Seldon on September 7 of that year.
James Onque Scott Jr. was an American boxer and convicted murderer. He became the second-highest-ranked contender in the World Boxing Association's (WBA) light heavyweight division while incarcerated at Rahway State Prison in Avenel, New Jersey. Scott fought a total of 22 professional fights. Eleven of those fights were contested while he was in prison, and Scott earned pay and WBA rankings from many of those fights, which was considered controversial.
Dwight Muhammad Qawi vs. Evander Holyfield, billed as "Pandemonium" was a professional boxing match contested on July 12, 1986 for the WBA Junior Heavyweight championship.
Evander Holyfield vs. Ossie Ocasio was a professional boxing match contested on 15 August 1987 for the WBA and IBF cruiserweight title.
Evander Holyfield vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi II was a professional boxing match contested on December 5, 1987 for the WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles.
Larry Hazzard Sr. is a former amateur boxer, boxing referee, athletic control board commissioner, teacher and actor. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, being inducted during 2010. Hazzard has served as Commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board since 2014, his second stint as commissioner after serving from 1985 to 2007.