Dwight Muhammad Qawi's death sees boxing lose a true legend and huge influence
Boxing lost an all-time great this week with the passing of Dwight Muhammad Qawi. It was because of fighters like him, a full-on, aggressive, attacking fighter, that I fought the way I did, swarming all over people trying to knock the living day lights out of them.
I remember Qawi as Dwight Braxton before he converted to Islam. They called him the Camden Buzzsaw after the town in New Jersey where he grew up.
He was only 5ft 7ins but ended his career as a heavyweight. As a cruiserweight he gave Evander Holyfield a terrific battle in their first fight, but it was at light heavyweight that he shone, this chunky, tough marauder throwing punches in bunches like a featherweight.
There was nothing featherweight when they landed. Qawi, a convicted armed robber, did not learn to box until he entered Rahway State Prison, New Jersey, which ran a boxing programme for inmates. Among the incarcerated was light heavyweight contender James Scott, who fought the majority of his career inside, including an unbelievable contest with Qawi himself after his release.
Qawi had no qualms about returning behind bars and you could not take your eyes of it from start to finish. It turned out to be Scott's last fight, Qawi edging a close decision.
His next fight against another Muslim convert and fearsome puncher Matthew Saad Muhammad was a barnburner. I thought it would be a hard fight for Qawi but he was just relentless. You can watch that fight every day of the week and not get bored.
Everybody was scared of Saad's power, but Qawi just walked straight up to him, closed him down, pushed him back and bullied him, stopping Saad in the tenth. That is the way he beat everybody, on the front foot letting those vicious combinations go.
He stopped Saad in five in their second meeting and had another notable victory against Leon Spinks before stepping up to face Holyfield.
Qawi was one of the most exciting fighters I ever saw. In a light heavyweight division crammed with talent, really exceptional fighters and mostly big six-footers, Qawi turned out to be the best of the lot.
I met in him 2005 when I was inducted into the Hall of Fame. I told him how much I admired him. He was thrilled. I'm glad I got the chance to tell him in person what a significant fighter he was and that he set my world alight.
Boxing also said goodbye this week to trainer Don Turner, who was in Holyfield's corner for those incredible wins over Mike Tyson. RIP both, you did our sport proud.
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