While serving a sentence for armed robbery, he participated in the boxing program at Rahway State Prison, and after his release in 1978, he became a professional boxer at the age of 25.
CAMDEN, N.J. — Dwight Muhammad Qawi, known as a Hall of Fame fighter who started boxing during his time in prison and went on to become a two-weight world champion, has passed away at the age of 72.
Qawi’s sister, Wanda King, said he died Friday following a five-year battle with dementia.
Originally named Dwight Braxton, he was born in Baltimore and raised in Camden. While imprisoned for armed robbery, he took part in the boxing program at Rahway State Prison, and shortly after his release in 1978, he embarked on a professional boxing career at the age of 25.
In December 1981, Qawi — who legally changed his name in 1982 following his conversion to Islam — stopped Matthew Saad Muhammad in the 10th round to win the WBC light heavyweight belt. Qawi stopped Saad again eight months later, taking six rounds.
After a loss Michael Spinks, the 5-foot-7 Qawi — called “The Camden Buzzsaw” — moved up in weight and took the WBA cruiserweight title from Piet Crous in July 1985. Qawi lost the title to future heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield in a 15-rounder in July 1986.
Qawi later fought as a heavyweight, with George Foreman stopping him in seven rounds.
Qawi retired in 1998 at age 46 with a 41-11-1 record and 25 knockouts. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.
After his retirement from the ring, he worked as a boxing trainer, youth advocate and drug and alcohol counselor.
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