The Great Dwight Muhammad Qawi has died 

A beacon of Boxing Greatness has left this World aged seventy two, but not before making a mark which passes into pugilistic history and legend, inspired by his determination, power, courage, belief and true grit.

Born Dwight Braxton on January 5th 1953, Dwight was raised in Camden, New Jersey had a troubled youth and served time in Rahway State Prison where he found boxing and boxing found him. Behind bars he fought and defeated hitherto undefeated James Scott. On his release, Dwight turned pro in 1978

And in so doing,  he turned his life around. His sister Wanda who is seven year older than him said: ”Dwight was determined to make up for lost time and he was in a hurry to win.”

Standing just five feet six and a half inches tall, Dwight  who converted to Islam and changed his name to Dwight Muhammad Qawi, was a veritable giant in the ring, who was a Fireball, and he himself described his style as: ”Chopping down trees”
He tore through the rankings. Aptly his nickname was: ”The Camden Buzzsaw.” He won the WBC light heavyweight title in 1981 knocking out Matthew Saad Muhammad in ten tempestuous rounds and stopping him in a return match with a TKO in six. Three successful defences.  Then in 1985 Dwight who had moved up to cruiserweight, went to South Africa and won the WBA title from Piet Crous, knocking him out in the eleventh.

Fearless and fearsome in the ring, Dwight took on the cream of the boxing crop. He fought Leon and Michael Spinks, Evander Holyfield twice, Mike Rossman, Ossie Ocasio and Big George Foreman.
Dwight always gave it his absolute all. He was NEVER in a dull fight. He retired in 1999, having built a fabulous career of forty one wins, including twenty five KO`s, eleven losses and one draw. Dwight was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

Post boxing career Dwight worked tirelessly as a drug and alcohol counselor and youth advocate. He died after a five years courageous fight against dementia. He never gave up. So characteristic of the man he was and will always be. He leaves us with a wondrous and awesome legacy of greatness.
As the saying goes: ”A beautiful face will age, a perfect body will change. But a beautiful soul, will always be a beautiful soul.”

In a wonderful, heartfelt, marvelous and touching tribute to her younger brother Wanda said: ”Dwight lost time, with nine years in prison. He felt that he was behind and was determined to get ahead in life. When he came home Dwight went straight to pro. He had great hunger in him and tremendous determination. Dwight had a lot of heart and he was fearless. He was a good guy, everyone loved him, he helped everyone.

”A former Ring King, Dwight`s greatest battle was against addiction. He fought it himself and that`s why he was able to help so many to overcome it, having been clean of it for so many years. Dwight said it was his greatest battle and his greatest victory. He was fearless. He didn`t fear anything or anyone apart from God.
“Dwight was helpful and kind, he had a heart of gold, he would give you the shirt off his back. He helped everyone in the family and he helped so many other people too. And…he was a great Dad. Oh my God, he so loved his two sons and his two grandsons. He took his grandsons everywhere he went and was a great mentor to them. He was a devoted Muslim.

”As a brother, Dwight was my best friend. He lived with me for the last ten years, but when he lived in New Jersey he would always check on me, as I would check on him. Every vacation he would come and stay with our Mother. Dwight was a very devoted family person. We would have a lot of family reunions every year and he would try to make every one of them.”

The entire World Boxing Council Family, our President Mauricio Sulaiman and the Global Boxing Community send  our deepest condolences to Dwight`s family, friends and fans the World over. Dwight passed away on Friday, but his achievements and those wonderful memories will forever shine so bright.

Rest In Peace Dear Champ. Your greatness as a boxer and as a man will never be forgotten and it will always be cherished.