Hall of Fame boxer Dwight Muhammad Qawi won his final victory over dementia, passing from this world on Friday, July 25.

Qawi’s sister, Wanda King, announced her brother’s death, which came after struggling for five years with the disease, as ESPN reported.

The 72-year-old boxer began his substantial career in the ring while in prison, and went on to become a two-weight world champion.

The Ring is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of boxing legend Dwight Muhammad Qawi.

Qawi turned his life around after time in prison as he became a two-weight world champion and a Ring light-heavyweight champion.

Our deepest sympathies are with Dwight’s friends and… pic.twitter.com/zXOv9L1OAS

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 28, 2025

Early history

He was serving a sentence for armed robbery when he started boxing, and took part in the Rahway State Prison boxing program while serving his time.

He went professional at the age of 25 shortly after he was released in 1978.

Qawi was born Dwight Braxton in Baltimore, Maryland, and stood just 5-foot-7inches tall. He grew up in the Camden area and later legally changed his name.

That change came in 1982, after he had already started his major boxing career and converted to Islam.

Career highlights

Qawi, nicknamed “The Camden Buzzsaw,” was able to stop Matthew Saad Muhammad, an impressive boxer in his own right, in the 109th round to win a lightweight belt.

Eight months later, he repeated the feat, taking only six rounds to make his way to victory.

He later lost to Michael Spinks, but moved up in weight class and won the cruiserweight title, previously held by Piet Crous, in July 1985. He then lost that title to Evander Holyfield, a future heavyweight champion, in a 15-round standoff the next year.

The fighter was called"A staple of network TV in the 80's (who can forget his 15-round battle with Evander Holyfield?)."

One user went on to remember him on social media, saying "He was a real fighter and a man who turned around his own life to help others. Rest in peace to 'the Camden Buzzsaw.'"

Another Icon

Later in his career, he would go on to fight as a heavyweight against George Foreman, who was able to stop him after seven rounds.

The boxing legend retired in 1988. He was 46 at the time and had a record of 41-11-1 and 25 knockouts. He was later inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

The late Qawi had a long and illustrious career and will be remembered fondly by many. He spent some of his last years working in counselling, assisting those battling alcohol and drug addiction.