Dwight Muhammad Qawi

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.[1]

Dwight Muhammad Qawi
Statistics
Nickname(s)Camden Buzzsaw
Weight(s)106 kg (234 lb)
Height166 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
NationalityAmerican
BornDwight Braxton
(1953-01-05) January 5, 1953
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights53
Wins41
Wins by KO25
Losses11
Draws1

Early life

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.[2]

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 80's and had his name changed from Dwight Braxton to Dwight Muhammad Qawi.

Professional career

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. The ex-convict was the underdog against Saad, one of the most popular fighters of his generation and a fellow Hall of Famer, but Braxton defeated him on a 10th-round technical knockout and became a world champion for the first time.[3] 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.[4]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
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 Steer 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 Steer Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13 Win 11–1–1 Tony Mesoraca TKO 6 (10) Nov 6, 1980 Steer 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 Steer Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10 Win 8–1–1 Leonard Langley TKO 2 (8), 2:47 May 8, 1980 Steer Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9 Win 7–1–1 Cornell Chavis TKO 1, 1:12 Mar 29, 1980 Steer 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.
gollark: Everyone should make sure to guess their submissions as me, due to the obvious presence of my entry.
gollark: It's not valid but main is never run.
gollark: I checked, and no, my submission did get in, but it appears to have been put in under *all* the numbers.
gollark: It's quite easy not to.
gollark: Since I might not be present in this round, does anyone want to see my code?

References
  1. Kates, William (2004-06-13). "Boxing champ Palomino enters Boxing Hall of Fame". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
  2. Putnam, Pat (1981-12-28). "From The Big House To The Big Time". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
  3. "Muhammad loses title to Braxton". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. 1981-12-21. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
  4. "Camden NJ – Dwight Braxton aka Dwight Muhammed Qawi – The Camden Buzzsaw".
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Michael Greer		 WBC Continental Americas
cruiserweight champion
April 18, 1989 – March 16, 1990		 Succeeded by
Mike Hunter
Vacant
Title last held by
Mike Hunter		 WBC Continental Americas
cruiserweight champion
November 7, 1991 – May 1993
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Marc Randazzo
World boxing titles
Preceded by
Matthew Saad Muhammad		 WBC light heavyweight champion
December 19, 1981 – March 18, 1983		 Succeeded by
Michael Spinks
The Ring light heavyweight champion
December 19, 1981 – March 18, 1983
Preceded by
Piet Crous		 WBA cruiserweight champion
July 27, 1985 – July 12, 1986		 Succeeded by
Evander Holyfield
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