Dwight Muhammad Qawi

Biography

Dwight Muhammad Qawi, affectionately known as the "Camden Buzzsaw," is a testament to the grit and determination that define the sport of boxing. Born on January 5, 1953, in Baltimore, Maryland, Qawi's journey to boxing stardom was far from conventional. Before his boxing career, he honed his skills during a stint at Rahway State Prison, where he began to sharpen his boxing techniques. Upon his release in March 1978, he transitioned to Joe Frazier's Gym in Philadelphia, engaging in intense sparring sessions with formidable opponents like Bennie Briscoe.

Qawi's professional boxing debut took place on April 19, 1978, at age 25, against Leonard Langley. The fight ended in a draw, a modest beginning to a career that would eventually span 20 years, 7 months, and 6 days. With only a month of training and no amateur fights, Qawi quickly made a name for himself by defeating quality opponents, including former light heavyweight king Mike Rossman and James Scott, in his 16th and 17th professional fights.

One of the pivotal moments in Qawi's career came on December 19, 1981, when he faced Matthew Saad Muhammad for the WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titles. In a thrilling bout, Qawi stopped the champion via TKO in the 10th round, securing his first world title. This victory began his reign as the WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight champion. He successfully defended these titles against Jerry Martin and Eddie Davis and in a rematch against Matthew Saad Muhammad, stopping him again, this time in the 6th round.

Qawi converted to Islam in 1982, changing his name from Dwight Braxton to Dwight Muhammad Qawi. Despite losing his light-heavyweight title to Michael Spinks in a unification bout in March 1983, Qawi was undeterred. He moved up in weight and captured the WBA cruiserweight title from Piet Crous on July 27, 1985, with a KO in the 11th round. This victory cemented his status as a two-weight class world champion.

Throughout his career, Qawi faced some of the most formidable boxers of his era. His title defence against Leon Spinks, a former heavyweight champion, was notable. However, he eventually lost his cruiserweight title to the rising star Evander Holyfield in a 15-round split decision on July 12, 1986. Despite an unsuccessful rematch against Holyfield 17 months later, Qawi continued campaigning, eventually transitioning to the heavyweight division.

Qawi's final professional outing took place on November 25, 1998, marking the end of a storied career that included 53 fights, 41 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw. His impressive 25 knockout victories, including 6 in world title fights, solidified his legacy as one of his time's toughest and most resilient boxers.

Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004, Dwight Muhammad Qawi's career is a testament to his perseverance and skill. His aggressive, crouching ring style earned him the nickname "The Camden Buzzsaw,"  and helped to make him a beloved figure in the boxing world.