Dwight Muhammad Qawi Documentary - A Champion's Redemption
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- A look back at the career of Dwight Muhammad Qawi aka Dwight Braxton, who emerged from a 5 1/2 year prison sentence to become light-heavyweight champion of the world.
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I was always a fan of Dwight Muhammad Qawi. But I had no idea he was such remarkable man who should be commended for turning his life around. He accomplished many great things. He deserves a lot of respect. I always appreciate your efforts Rich. But I really enjoyed this one in particular ! Thank you for your exceptional work.
My pleasure Slaphead, thanks for the support.
@@RichtheFightHistorian you are a star. Tx for bringing back very fond memories. Dwight was an exciting champion as he is an amazing man. God bless
had the pleasure to meet dwight at the lighthouse rehab where he was a counselor thank you dwight for your time and consideration
Bang on 👏🫡
Fuck, imagine this man starting boxing as a kid with a proper amateur background. He would've been something else. He was something else. Legend.
Possibly. But with his style, he could have been shot at a young age, similar to someone like Wilfred Benitez. It's tough to say.
@@mattysquizzato7094he put up a good performance against Foreman while he took the fight on short notice,at the end of his career and was on alcohol abuse,he also had variety ways to defend so yeah,i think he'll last longer.
@@TheNeorch Possibly. He was a warrior, mo doubt.
@@mattysquizzato7094 for me he just needed to not lack like Benitez, Wilfred declined after he started to lack.
@@TheNeorch Benitez was a dog in training, no doubt.
I think most people don’t realize how difficult it is to fight guys that are on average 3-5” taller in boxing. This guy was a savage.
Lucky his reach was amazing for his height..even longer that Holyfields.
@@JohnBull-im3svJoe Frazier and Tyson didn’t have a long reach because reach only matters when you’re not highly skilled.
I have a short reach and boy does it such to spar with guys much taller. But it feels good when I can get into position to jab them. Just takes enormous amount of work. Meanwhile people my own height, I can just reach my arm out and land easy jabs. @@RAHEEMMILLNER34
It's actually easier...you a have more to hit
@@RAHEEMMILLNER34lol, that’s a bullshit comment. It usually gives you an advantage to have longer reach. But there are also disadvantages up close and it takes more time to get the arm fully extended. It’s also tiring to move long arms a lot for a long fight. It’s not as black and white, but of course a less skilled fighter will usually prefer reach advantage. More times than not, it’s an advantage in boxing. So if you combine skill with reach, it’s usually an even greater advantage. However if you’re a stockier and more explosive fighter, it can be a good thing to be able to throw fast combinations without spending too much time rotating and stretching out unnecessary long limbs.
Qawi was an absolute machine! He was a relentless puncher with a bottomless gas tank. He had underrated defense as well. He was great at mid range and excellent at infighting. His right uppercut at clinching range was deceptive and wobbled heads. Qawi would have been a hard fight for any light heavyweight in any era. I would have loved to see Qawi vs Ezzard Charles at light heavyweight.
I remember an older version of Qawi fighting Foreman and tagging George at will.
And only with 2 weeks notice, I believe. If I remember correctly, he was drinking heavily at the time and overweight. He gassed out against the tank the was George.
I wrote this comment before seeing the end of the documentary. I see it was addressed.
Amazing how he was only 5’5 and fought in light heavy, cruiser and heavyweight such a remarkable fighter
He was 5’7 actually.
@joewarrick6043 damn still a W for fighting at that size at such a huge weight
@@romarioalvarez7397 oh yeah definitely amazing and I wasn’t meaning to sound like I was correcting you. I was just pointing out that they were wrong in the documentary when they said he was 5’5. Not that it’s much of a difference lol
@@romarioalvarez7397 buzz saw was the perfect name too
I'm just a quarter under 5'8. I'd be annoyed If they said I was 5'6 lol
I think he beat Holyfield. I have watched that fight numerous times
I said the same thing
I'm 5'5 on a good day. My favorite sparring partner was 6'2. I learned how to move and he learned how to protect his body.
I've only been a fan of you recently Rich but I find it humorous how seeing dudes like Dwight Muhammad Qawi being covered on your channel are like Mini special events to more Hard core fans of boxing, despite more casual fans probably never hearing of his name.
Qawi vs Holyfield was hands down one of the greatest I've ever seen.
It's an awesome channel, I'm watching dudes (like Qawi) that I've only read about and not actually seen.
I knew Dwight when he was starting out and although he was raw and unproven, he was still considered a great prospect because of his sparring wars with James Scott when they were both at Rahway State Prison. When he lost to Johnny Davis, a lot of people wrote him off, but Dwight was a man-o-war and stayed extremely busy feeling he had to make up for time lost in prison. He was a guy who really believed he was destined to be a champion and more importantly, that no one could beat him. Nevertheless, he really took his trade seriously and trained as if his future depended on it. Consequently, he came into his matches believing that he was the best boxer in the ring despite his size. It helped that he had developed into an exceptional boxer, with quickness, great footwork and a solid defensive that enabled him to operate within close range. Excellent documentary that captures Dwight Muhammad Qawi in his greatness. A true legend which illustrates, it's not over if you have faith
This guy fought big George foreman and came at him every second. Guy is a warrior.
This is my guy. I’m the same height and same build and years ago when I walked into the boxing gym I use to attempt mimic his fighting style!!! Big mistake!!! I use to get my ass kicked in sparring!! 😂🤣😂🤣
He’s too difficult to mimic. Average people can’t do it.
@@j.yumuraj2880 Amen to that
Dwight "The Camden Buzzsaw" Qawi
- PRO record: 41-11-1, KO's 25 / World title record: 6-4-0, KO's 6.
- 2 Weight Division World Champion.
# Lineal/WBC World Light Heavyweight Champion: 1981-1983 (4-1-0, KO's 4).
# WBA World Cruiserweight Champion: 1985-1986 (2-1, KO's 2).
# 2-time WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight Champion: 1989-1990 & 1991.
# Defeated 7 recognized world champions: Matthew Saad Muhammad x2, Leon Spinks, Ricky Parkey, Mike Rossman, Piet Crous, Lee Roy Murphy & Tyrone Booze +
top contenders; James Scott, Eddie Davis etc.
# Lost to 7 recognized world champions: Evander Holyfield x2, George Foreman, Michael Spinks, Ossie Ocasio, Robert Daniels, Arthur Williams & Nate Miller.
His win over Saad was impressive and heartbreaking, it's hard to watch Saad Muhammad,my favourite that was able to take many punishment and pull out a big comeback later,got destroyed like that and he was never the same after that too,but the torch has to be passed,and Qawi deserved the torch.
@@TheNeorch Amen !!!!
I always likened him to Joe Frazier because of his Non-Stop forward motion and aggressive style that consisted of non-stop punches. It's cool that he comes from Camden, New Jersey because that is where the great Jersey Joe Walcott is from as well, and I wonder if they crossed the paths.
He trained with Frazier!
Trained with Frazier and came from Walcott's house.
Honestly this man is a huge inspiration to short people. I’m 5’9 and although I’m not as short as him my dream is to become a heavyweight boxer and that is extremely hard at 5’9. I really hope I grow a little bit but if he could be at heavyweight at 5’5 and actually do it decently then anyone can.
I was waiting for this one, thanks Rich! (I thought he beat Holyfield in their first fight but knew there was no chance he was going to get the decision against the Olympian in his home town.)
I felt he edged Holyfield as well. It was always you had to knock the Champ out to win.
Qawi was hated by many. Loved by few
@@doseloverstar1183 He was totally classless against Leon Spinks. I never liked Qawi but I think he beat Holyfield. I think the ref saved Holyfield in his fight against Bert Cooper, too, jumping in to give Holyfield a rest when he was completely gassed. Fighting Holyfield in Atlanta was just a bad idea. The incredible thing about the Qawi fight is that it was on free afternoon tv. The eighties might not have been a golden age for boxing, but it was certainly a golden age for free tv boxing.
@@johnjamele I loved how he put the heat to Leon's cake. I met Mills Lane in midtown NYC back in late 02 early 03 was with his wife. Wasn't well. I asked him about the Bert Cooper Holyfield debacle. He just rubbed the broad I was with cheeks and that was it. Then I read about his stroke
@@johnjamele Yep no pay per view shit all the fights were on ABC. My dad used to watch them as a kid all the time
Even now Holyfield-Qawi I is the consensus choice for the greatest cruiserweight title fight in history.
His physique and fighting style are similar to Joe Frazier!
Only this dude was way hard to hit cleanly and was ruthlessly on the attack one of the best ever to lace gloves and fight
Boxing BB got him experience
Harry Heath : smokin joe was VERYgard to hit cleanly ! See Ali quotes etc !
i enjoyed this very much sir i have always been a Fan of DWIGHT QAWI I have the ultimate respect for any man that steps into the ring but QAWI turned his life around through our beloved sport
he was like a mini FRAZIER but with a better jab
Pretty sure he trained at his gym too
Another outstanding documentary! No one does it better than you. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Qawi 2 or 3 years ago. It was an absolute pleasure meeting him! He was a childhood heroe of mine. Thank you for making these short documentaries.
Sure thing, Anthony. He seems like a cool guy in some of the recent interviews I've seen.
I think you should have pointed out that Qawi won every round against Ocasio but was handed the worst decision in the history of boxing.
Dwight's still cool today.
Took me a while to come around on Qawi. It was hard to watch a beloved champ like Saad take those merciless beatings. Qawi seemed so mean and ruthless. But I came to really like him--his craft, his toughness, and how he fought so hard. And that Ocasio fight was a total robbery.
I knew him before Saad,but after knowing who Saad was it's hard to watch that fight again, it's like seeing your favorite character in a show dying,but after those i still think Qawi was nice..
Watching this, Rich, you kept me up late... Qawi lived up to his moniker, "Camden Buzzsaw", as a younger man, watching him fight was always an adrenaline- filled rough passage. Unmatched fierceness, self-will, with self- honed, dedication to improve on his natural gifts, abilities: a supple, laser guided advancing defense, that upper body, head & timing of his is still perfection to watch. That precise - sharp combination punching, with power. So good to know he's found a way to get out of the darkness of his past, and addiction! This one's special for this largely forgotten great! Great work as usual Rich. Keep on!
Thanks Todd, sorry to keep you up late
"If you jump for the stars, you'll just fall down."
Dwight is one of my favorite fighters of all time, he was such a likable dude. If Dwight smiled at you, you where in trouble. His defense and pressure overwhelmed alot guys.
As a 28 year I am so thankful for all these great videos of such remarkable boxers. Makes me so jelly of the 80's and 90's
I was 10 in 1982 when I got into 🥊
I’m 51 now. You 29??
Wanna trade ?? 😆
@@ezsmith3765i'm 13 getting to boxing this year or last year lol,ya wanna trade too sir?
WHAT A FIGHTER! The good thing is Qawi still has his mind in tact today. Thanks for memories Buzzsaw!
He's fighting for the disappointment of the past and the brightness of the future
This was one of my dad's favorite fighters. He always told me the story about how he watched Quawi vs Matthew Saad Muhammad live. He said they both were great fighters who were always ready for war 😎
That sounds... terrifying, if I'm being honest.
It’s crazy i was just talking about Qawi on Twitter right now and this comes up. Someone said Roy Jones Jr was unbeatable in his prime and i said there’s four Light-Heavyweights that would have beaten him. Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Micheal Spinks & Dwight Muhammad Qawi.
They must have forgotten how great Qawi was. He’s a forgotten legend.
He was a legend, indeed.
You don't think Bob Foster would've beaten Roy Jones jr.? I also would have picked light heavyweight Floyd Patterson over Roy, most likely. Although it is hard to say when you're talking about fighters who were essentially generational talents. It is always hard to know how guys with such rare physical tools and refined skills will matchup against one another.
Y'all must of forgot! Roy was a bad boy at 179, but I think he was even better at 168 maybe even untouchable. At light heavyweight, he still gives all the Guys named an extremely tough fight. One things for sure, no-one in history was able to match his athleticism.
@@brocklanders3616 Roy Jones jr. was absolutely AMAZING. A one of a kind talent. But that said, there are some other amazing fighters that have graced the light heavyweights who shouldn't be counted out against Jones jr.
@@jeremyseaton4898 Bob Foster was an all-time great L-HW. The reason i don’t have him beating RJJ is because he was a KO artist. He didn’t have the skillset those other guys had, Archie Moore was also a KO artist and he was defensively skilled.
Ezzard Charles also had power but not on those two level’. However he was the most skillful Light-Heavyweight of all-time. He was the most complete fighter. I’d favour The Cincinnati Cobra to beat any L-HW in history. I Rarely call fighters perfect, but Charles was close to one.
Also Floyd Patterson accomplished more and much better at HW. He only beaten the top contenders at L-HW, there’s no notable wins.
Was Qawi left handed he had a very strong jab but in saying that his right hand and uppercuts were lethal fully deserves his induction at ibhof brilliant documentary as usual rich
I was always a Dwight Braxton aka Qawi fan. A fighter who gave it everything he had in the ring and proved you can change your life outside the ring. Well done Champ!
A small LHW, let alone a CW and even a HW........but a fine LHW champ.
What a great doco yet again by RTFH
I have Dwight down as an All Time Great Fighter. If memory serves, he was actually a Middleweight that bulked up to Light Heavyweight
I thought the first Holyfield fight was a draw at worst for Dwight to be honest. That fight ? Made Holyfield the fighter he went in to be.
Brilliant footage of long long forgotten fighters ( unless you know your boxing history), of the Davis Brothers, Jerry Martin and the late, Great Matthew Saad Muhammad.
I hope Dwight is doing well today 🥊🥊💥💥🥊🥊
One of my favorites fighters ever. Even though I don't normally like pressure fighters you couldn't help like Qawi, he was a real handful. Like the love-child of Joe Frazier and Pernell Whitaker.
Haha
BEST COMMENT EVER
@@mongoslade277 Thanks buddy.
Although he beat one of my all time favorite fighters in Saad I always liked Dwight. Always seemed genuine and a good guy. I was rooting for him against Spinks
Quawi theirs a Fan Favorite. Great fighter
Holyfield and Qawi...it still makes my jaw drop. Greatest Cruiserweight fight ever, bar none. It's amazing to think that Holyfield went on to have such a stellar career after that fight. A whole lot of guys would've been ruined by those 15 hellish rounds.
Holyfield said he lost 15lbs during that fight
Evanders body was literally built for the best all round boxer. But he also juiced.
Just when I was hoping this would be one of the few documentaries of a boxers life that has a good ending, this was the one. Great film Rich! And yes this man had a beautiful upper cut!😎
I had that Sports Illustrated issue as a kid, I've still got it with the article on Dwight and his brothers. I've liked him since then. Great guy!!! That Foreman punch that pretty much ended their fight landed to Dwight's back.
Dwight Braxton !!! 🥊💪🏾🏆
The best inside fighting style in boxing history.
Wow! Really enjoyed this one. Dwight was a banger, and his jab was lethal. Good to hear and see Carlos Padilla. Mills Lane, Tony Perez, Tim Ryan, Gil Clancy, Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, Ed Darion, and Charlie Steiner. Looking forward to the next documentary Rich!
Thanks, R E, more on the way.
Just over halfway through the video but I had to stop to say THANK YOU for the amazing work you do telling these fighters stories... Best content on the interwebs!!!
Thanks so much, John
Salute Dwight salute Farid Munir salute and rip Mr Wesley Mouzon
Thanks for posting the film. Late 70's, early 80's was a great era for the light heavyweight division with some great Philly area fighters. Quai was a buzz saw! Brings back memories of my dad and I watching the fights.
My pleasure Joe Pat
@23:40, it irks me the fighter's training team doesn't know how to fit the fighter with the proper fitting trunks, smdh...
Good to see him making something out of his life after boxing and addiction. He's was an absolute beast in his prime. Short but could cutt the distance like nothing and had murderous punches.
One tough son of a bitch. After he moved up to heavyweight, he gave George Foreman all he could handle. That fight video is on UA-cam.
Damn ... seems like Leon took one Hell of an ass whipping. Those shots were making me wince. I bet Evander probably considers him one of his best opponents
I fucking knew his style was similar to Joe Frazier!!! He even looks like him. Crazy shit
Shocking how accurate he was without any apparent explosive speed. Really really remarkable fighting machine
His timing was top notch, he always capitalized on openings and caught opponents when they were least ready for kt.
I was a big Matthew Saad Muhammad fan back then. Saad Muhammad would get behind but always come back. But during the fight with the man who would become Dwight Muhammad Qawi, I kept waiting for Saad Muhammad to start his come back but he never was able to mount any offense against The Camden Buzzsaw.
Word was that Saad Muhammad had a hard time makimg weight and he was drained by fight time. I eagerly awaited the rematch but it was even worse for Saad Muhammad. Can't say I was ever a fan of Qawi but I thought he was as fearsome as anyone out there.
Great job on the doc, enjoyed revisiting the career of Qawi
Thanks for watching, TheDocTats
Absolutely love this channel ! The best boxing channel on youtube 👊🔥👊
Hey thanks, Old School Strength.
Alcohol sneaks up on you and makes you weak and takes your stamina away..
YESSS SIR RICH, I BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE SO GLAD YOU MADE A VIDEO ABOUT QAWI, FROM RAHWAY STATE PRISON, I LIVE IN NEWARK NJ AND TRAVEL TO CAMDEN SOMETIMES I THINK THAT'S WHERE HES FROM.
Hell yeah Rich I'm excited to watch this one...you gave him a whole hour too!
Where is Tank Davis from? Very similar story here and very interesting..Thank You
That's one guy you do not want to have to fight in the streets
Qawi was an awesome fighter, huge fan of this dangerous boxer, good career!
Good job Rich for uploading the documentary of Dwight Muhammad Qawi one of my favorite little big man fighter in heavier weight divisions. He had the similar style to Joe Frazier and he went to fight taller and bigger opponents, it goes saying "don't let the short size fool you" as Qawi would chop them down to size. Anyways, thanks Rich for uploading after giving you my request.
Sure thing, Scorpio
@@RichtheFightHistorian Appreciate it Rich.
Rich,you are an absolute gem. The attention you give to these sometimes forgotten warriors is very much appreciated by this old man.Thank you for another ride on Rich's Time Machine 👏
My pleasure, Antonio, thanks for the support.
I remember when Dwight was in prison...followed his whole career...if he was fighting I was watching....Another great job Rich....Please keep them coming!! :)
I don't think he was in prison during his boxing career. He did return to fight a bout in prison but he wasn't incarcerated.
@@kevindean1327 He took up boxing when he was at Rahway during the period that James Scott was there.....He didn't turn pro until he was out of prison.
Thanks, Dale, will do
When he beat James Scott, and knocked out Mike Rossman, I knew that Dwight Muhammad Qawi was for real.
You nailed it again rich. Thank u for these masterpiece's your creating. Each and every one a mona Lisa to real boxing fans.
Thanks so much, Joe
Today Qawi would have been undisputed champ... Facts
The first time I saw this guy on TV he became an instant favorite. Those wars with Saad Muhammad were spectacular and when he destroyed Rossman, the fight in Rahway. His whole life and career is a movie.
I so angry when Matthew Saad Muhammad lost to him.
I saw the televised fight vs. Scott from Rahway. Very strange setting.
This is exactly why i love youtube,just came across this man,what a scrapper.
I’d hate to have to be his opponent. He just never stopped. His pressure made Joe Frazier seem laid back. Body shots and that sinister grin. Just a NASTY, hard nose Boxer.
Great boxer and champion, big disappointment when he fought Michael Spinks
Never knew of this fighter, what an absolute warrior. Thanks. ❤
Braxton/Quawi didn’t get the respect he deserved, Holyfield is great but is pretty fortunate that he fought the 33yr old version of him, If he got the 30yr old version it’d probably been a different outcome. Evander was 23-24yr old, Nobody had ever Treated Rossman, Davis, and Saad like that
Man, I find it ironic that Dwight converted to Islam, and became alcoholic almost immediately afterward. Regardless, he was an excellent fighter no doubt.
Huge fan of Camden Buzz saw..he is underrated
Intimidating fighter. He destroyed my favorite boxer amd champion Saad Muhammad. Dwight was one of the greatest light heavyweights ever.
Dwight won that 1st fight with holyfield without a doubt .holyfield was a great champion, but it was obvious this night, the future money maker,s were involved in this decision. Hats off to dwight , we salute you ! A great champion 👑, and a amazing man !
Dwight Braxton baby! I was friends with his brother Tony, who also was a boxer.
Dwight Braxton was the master of the cross armed defense fought like joe Frazier a beast destroyed sad Muhammad when he list to spines in 83 I was depressed for days. Lol
5 foot 5 powerhouse
A 5’ 6” Qawi was amazing
Can't believe I've never heard or seen this man b4, especially his work in a ring. just puts a none stop beating on them.
Dwight.V HOLYFIELD ONE OF THE GREATEST LIGHTWEIGHT HEAVY FIGHTS EVER HOLYFIELD BECAME A 3TIME HEAVWEIGHT CHAMP . HE SAID THAT FIGHT WAS ONE OF HIS HARDEST
This man was another Joe Frazier, Hollywood would have beat him even if he was young, more skilled fighter than him, but, if Hollyfied would have been slipping in his training a hair, this guy would have beat him, Hollyfield would have had to come with his A game everytime he faced that brother, brother was a beast in the ring.
👏👏👏. Bravo Rich. Absolutely loved every minute of that. Once again I know Dwight's career quite well, but knew very little of his story. Terrific stuff. Bless up bro 👊
Sure thing, Nick, thank you
He was mean. Smile while whipping your butt
I can´t hit a heavybag as accurately as Qawi hit Leon Spinks.
Rich the fight historian you are truly the best. Salute Rich.
Hey thanks, Victor
That bit about the propane being more valuable than him...that was some tough shit...
Very humble boxer.. i like your attitude always smiling
fun fact my dwight quawi is my brothers grandfather
Another great video. How do get such obscure and great historic content
His lead left hook from the crouch is one of my favorite punches from any fighter...like Hagler's leaping jab or Rocky's Suzie Q
Yeah, he really nailed Jerry Martin with that one.
what a man can do ones he puts his mind to it. i believe we are in more control of our destiny than we think. i believe we can manifest our future by speak it out loud, writing it down and living it day to day, put it were u wake up and see it. staying focused on that goal. remember to be specific, u don't want guess work for the lil things.
Hey um after the upcoming documents soon. Can you try doing a documentary on willie pastrano.
He was a real one
his brother Tony Braxton went to jail for him,, took the full charge alone
I like how he didn't forget about his boy James Scott in jail giving him shot of greatest he beat my boy Saad still Braxton was a true warrior and champion!!!!
I got a lot of my upper body movement from Dwight and Smoking Joe.
Baltimore to Camden...good thing he was willing to throw hands