FORMER two-weight boxing world champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi has died aged 72.
The former light-heavyweight champion had been battling dementia for the last five years.
Former two-weight world champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi has died aged 72GETTY
Qawi had been battling dementia for the last five yearsGETTY
But he sadly passed away last Friday.
His sister, Wanda King, confirmed his death in an emotional statement to Boxing Scene.
She said: “He was a great father, a great Pop-Pop to his grandchildren.
“He had a heart of gold, and he fought his dementia illness just like he was fighting in the ring.
“He went out like a champ. Right to the end.”
Tributes for the late Qawi poured in from around the world after news of his passing became public.
One fight fan wrote on X: “Rest In Peace to two-division world champion & hall of famer, ‘Camden Buzzsaw’ Dwight Muhammad Qawi.”
Another said: “What a fighter Dwight Muhammad Qawi was. One of boxing’s consummate tough guys.”
GETTYThe late Dwight Muhammad Qawi, right, shared the ring with Michael Spinks[/caption]
GETTYHe took part in an epic cruiserweight war with Evander Holyfield in 1986[/caption]
The WBC also paid tribute to Qawi, saying: “The WBC joins the boxing community of the world in prayer for [the] eternal rest of Dwight Muhammad Qawi.
“He found his love for boxing while serving a sentence in prison and went on to become WBC light heavyweight champion.
“A great father and grandfather who was also a role model in society. Rest in peace, Champ.”
The prestigious Ring Magazine wrote: “The Ring is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of boxing legend Dwight Muhammad Qawi.”
Qawi’s boxing journey began in 1973 after he was jailed for armed robbery.
He began competing in the Rahway State Prison’s boxing program and turned pro after serving five years behind bars.
But he almost permanently derailed his promising career after getting into trouble with the law not long after his release, this time for assault and battery.
But Judge Peter Coruzzi gave him another chance to turn his life around by sentencing him to five years of probation instead of further incarceration.
Qawi would amass a 15-1-1 record before ripping the WBC light-heavyweight title from Matthew Saad Muhammad’s clutches in December 1981.
He would defend the prestigious green belt three times before losing a 1983 unification bout to Michael Spinks, a loss which prompted a move up to cruiserweight.
APTributes have poured in for the late Dwight Muhammad Qawi from around the world[/caption]
Qawi would become a two-weight world champion two years later by defeating South Africa’s Piet Crouse for the WBA cruiserweight title.
He’d lose the belt the following year to Evander Holyfield via split decision in a fight that is still regarded by many as one of the most brutal in cruiserweight history.
Qawi would go on to lose the last two world title fights of his career, suffering a fourth-round stoppage loss in a rematch with Holyfield and a split decision defeat to Robert Daniels.
Qawi retired from boxing in 1999 aged 46 and was inducted into the International Hall of Fame five years later.
Prior to his dementia diagnosis, he spent his time training aspiring boxers and counselling people dealing with alcohol and drug addiction.
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