Matthew Saad Muhammad

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Matthew Saad Muhammad (born Maxwell Antonio Loach; June 16, 1954 – May 25, 2014) was an American professional boxer who was the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion of the World for two-and-a-half years.

Background

Saad Muhammad's mother died when he was an infant,[1] and he and his elder brother were sent to live with an aunt. When he was five, his aunt could not afford to look after both of them and she instructed his brother to get rid of him. His brother took him to Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway and then ran away. Saad was found in the early hours asleep on the steps of a church. He was then taken in by Catholic Social Services. The nuns gave him the name Matthew Franklin (after the saint and the parkway where he was found). Matthew lived in foster care until a couple from Philadelphia adopted him, raised him, and took care of him like he was their own.[2]

Saad Muhammad was very popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s among boxing fans because of his particularly action-oriented style. Saad Muhammad was known for his ability to take punishment and mount comebacks, and because of this, he was nicknamed Miracle Matthew.

Saad Muhammad was also part of a group of world light heavyweight champions who became Muslims and changed their names during his era as a Light-Heavyweight, the others being Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (born as Eddie Gregory), and Dwight Muhammad Qawi (born as Dwight Braxton). Saad Muhammad confirmed this in interviews following his boxing career, stating that he was inspired to convert by Muhammad Ali's conversion.[3]

Amateur career

Saad Muhammad had a relatively short amateur career, consisting of only 20 amateur bouts. He won the Trenton (NJ) Golden Gloves in 1973 and turned pro the following year.[4]

Professional boxing career

Saad Muhammad began to box professionally in 1974, winning his first fight with a second-round knockout win against Billy Early. He posted seven more wins that year before suffering his first loss at the hands of Wayne McGee by a decision in six rounds.

In 1975, after two wins, he and McGee fought again, in a six-round draw. In 1976, he had two matches each with future world champions Marvin Camel and Mate Parlov.

His first fight with Parlov, in Milan, was also his first fight abroad. He beat Parlov in an eight-round decision. He then beat Camel in a ten-round decision, but lost the rematch, also in a ten-round decision. He returned to Italy for a rematch with Parlov, which resulted in a ten-round draw.

Saad Muhammad began 1977 by losing to Mustafa Muhammad (then Edward Lee Gregory), but then defeated the future three-time world champion Marvin Johnson by a knockout in round 12 for the United States Light-Heavyweight title in his first nationally televised match.

In 1978, he won all four of his bouts, including successful defenses of his title against former world title challenger Richie Kates and against four-time world title challenger Yaqui López. The Lopez fight, their first of two, was considered a classic by boxing experts, Saad Muhammad surviving a relentless attack by López to score an 11th-round knockout.

In 1979, after Johnson became world champion by defeating Parlov, he and Saad Muhammad met again on April 22 in Johnson's hometown of Indianapolis for the WBC's world light heavyweight crown . In a fight considered by many experts as a Saad Muhammad classic, and which subsequently featured on ESPN's Classic Fights show, Saad Muhammad won with an eight-round knockout after staggering Johnson towards the end of the seventh round. Shortly afterward, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Matthew Saad Muhammad.[5]

In his first title defense, Saad Muhammad met former world champion John Conteh in Atlantic City. He retained the world title with a 15-round decision. The decision, however, was voided and a rematch ordered because Muhammad's cornermen used an illegal substance to stop the bleeding from a cut.[6] Muhammad retained the crown with a knockout in round four in the second bout.[7] After defeating Louis Pergaud, he and López met again, this time, with the world title on the line. Their rematch has also been shown by ESPN's classic network several times, it was the fight of the year for 1980, according to Ring Magazine, and is still written about by boxing aficionados.[8] Saad Muhammad was hit with 20 unanswered blows in round eight, but he recovered and dropped López five times en route to a 14th-round knockout win. "This was my toughest fight," said Saad Muhammad of the fight, which some consider the closest López ever came to a world title.[9]

He then went on to defeat Lottie Mwale, Vonzell Johnson, future world Super-Middleweight champion Murray Sutherland and Jerry Martin, all in defense of his world title, before losing to Dwight Muhammad Qawi in December 1981. In yet another fight that would later be shown on ESPN's classic network, Saad Muhammad lost his title when Qawi knocked him out in 10 rounds.

Saad Muhammad entered 1982 with a rematch against Qawi within his sights, and he defeated Pete McIntyre by a knockout in round two. The rematch between Saad Muhammad and Qawi came off in August, at Saad Muhammad's hometown of Philadelphia. The second time around, Qawi won by a knockout in round six.

From there on until 1992, Saad Muhammad fought sporadically and with limited success. He had been confronting vision problems, and in 1986, he declared himself in bankruptcy.

After he lost the rematch to Qawi fought in Australia, Spain, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.

MMA career

Saad Muhammad also took a turn in the forerunner of mixed martial arts in Japan, participating in the first UWF International (UWFi) event in 1991. Matched against Kiyoshi Tamura, Saad Muhammad talked a great deal at a lead-in press conference. He declined to say in which round he would knock Tamura out, but guaranteed a victory. Tamura submitted Saad Muhammad 34 seconds into the first round.

Retirement from boxing

File:Grave of Matthew Saad Muhammad.jpg
Grave of boxer Matthew Saad Muhammad at Ivy Hill Cemetery

Saad Muhammad retired from professional boxing with a record of 39 wins, 16 losses and 3 draws, with 29 wins by knockout.

In 1998, he became a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Boxing trainer

Muhammad trained up and coming fighters out of Atlantic City, New Jersey and worked closely with former Indian Olympic boxing team heavyweight Gurcharan "The Guru" Singh.[10]

Retirement and death

In July 2010, Saad Muhammad was homeless and living in a shelter in Philadelphia.[1] He later became involved in charity work in the Philadelphia area, some of which focused on raising money for the homeless.[3] He died at a hospital in Philadelphia on May 25, 2014; his cause of death was unknown, though he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).[11]

Muhammad was listed as number 24 on Ring MagazineTemplate:'s list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Professional boxing record

Template:BoxingRecordSummary

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
58 Loss 39–16–3 Template:Flagicon Jason Waller KO 2 (8) 21/03/1992 Template:Flagicon Colonial Theatre, Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
57 Loss 39–15–3 Template:Flagicon Andrew Maynard TKO 3 (8) 29/10/1991 Template:Flagicon Convention Center Washington, D.C., U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
56 Loss 39–14–3 Template:Flagicon Mike Green PTS 8 05/10/1991 Template:Flagicon Woodbridge, Virginia, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
55 Win 39–13–3 Template:Flagicon Govoner Chavers KO 1 (8) 15/08/1991 Template:Flagicon Plaza de Toros de Puerto Banus, Marbella, Andalucia, SpainScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
54 Loss 38–13–3 Template:Flagicon Anton Josipović PTS 8 09/05/1991 Template:Flagicon Novi Sad, Serbia, YugoslaviaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
53 Loss 38–12–3 Template:Flagicon Ed Mack UD 8 26/02/1991 Template:Flagicon National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
52 Loss 38–11–3 Template:Flagicon Markus Bott TKO 3 (8) 16/02/1990 Template:Flagicon Sporthalle, Wandsbek, GermanyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
51 Template:DrawDraw 38–10–3 Template:Flagicon Kevin Wagstaff PTS 8 24/10/1989 Template:Flagicon Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, Queensland, AustraliaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
50 Loss 38–10–2 Template:Flagicon Frankie Swindell TKO 1 (8) 21/10/1988 Template:Flagicon Quality Inn Hotel, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
49 Win 38–9–2 Template:Flagicon Lee Harris TKO 1 (8) 08/04/1988 Template:Flagicon The Showplace Arena, Mechanicsville, Virginia, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
48 Win 37–9–2 Template:Flagicon Bobby Thomas UD 10 04/12/1987 Template:Flagicon Millsap Community Center, Weirton, Virginia, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
47 Win 36–9–2 Template:Flagicon James Coakley KO 3 (10) 26/06/1987 Template:Flagicon Nassau, BahamasScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
46 Loss 35–9–2 Template:Flagicon Pat Strachan UD 10 30/01/1987 Template:Flagicon Nassau, BahamasScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
45 Win 35–8–2 Template:Flagicon Tomas Polo Ruiz UD 10 16/11/1986 Template:Flagicon Jean Pierre Sports Complex, Mucurapo, Trinidad and TobagoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
44 Loss 34–8–2 Template:Flagicon Uriah Grant UD 10 21/02/1986 Template:Flagicon Galt Ocean Mile Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
43 Win 34–7–2 Template:Flagicon Chris Wells TKO 6 (10) 10/01/1986 Template:Flagicon Diplomat Hotel, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
42 Loss 33–7–2 Template:Flagicon Willie Edwards TKO 11 (12) 11/02/1984 Template:Flagicon Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For NABF Light Heavyweight TitleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
41 Win 33–6–2 Template:Flagicon Larry Davis TKO 10 (12) 09/09/1983 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
40 Loss 32–6–2 Template:Flagicon Eric Winbush TKO 3 (12) 23/03/1983 Template:Flagicon Claridge Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
39 Loss 32–5–2 Template:Flagicon Dwight Muhammad Qawi TKO 6 (15) 07/08/1982 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
38 Win 32–4–2 Template:Flagicon Pete McIntyre TKO 2 (10) 17/04/1982 Template:Flagicon Harrah's Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
37 Loss 31–4–2 Template:Flagicon Dwight Muhammad Qawi TKO 10 (15) 19/12/1981 Template:Flagicon Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
36 Win 31–3–2 Template:Flagicon Jerry Martin TKO 11 (15) 26/09/1981 Template:Flagicon Golden Nugget Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
35 Win 30–3–2 Template:Flagicon Murray Sutherland KO 9 (15) 25/04/1981 Template:Flagicon Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
34 Win 29–3–2 Template:Flagicon Vonzell Johnson TKO 11 (15) 28/02/1981 Template:Flagicon Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
33 Win 28–3–2 Template:Flagicon Lottie Mwale KO 4 (15) 28/11/1980 Template:Flagicon Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
32 Win 27–3–2 Template:Flagicon Yaqui López TKO 14 (15) 13/07/1980 Template:Flagicon Great Gorge Playboy Club, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
31 Win 26–3–2 Template:Flagicon Louis Pergaud TKO 5 (15) 11/05/1980 Template:Flagicon Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
30 Win 25–3–2 Template:Flagicon John Conteh TKO 4 (15) 29/03/1980 Template:Flagicon Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
29 Win 24–3–2 Template:Flagicon John Conteh UD 15 18/08/1979 Template:Flagicon Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
28 Win 23–3–2 Template:Flagicon Marvin Johnson TKO 8 (15) 22/04/1979 Template:Flagicon Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won WBC light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
27 Win 22–3–2 Template:Flagicon Yaqui López TKO 11 (12) 24/10/1978 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained NABF Light Heavyweight TitleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
26 Win 21–3–2 Template:Flagicon Fred Bright TKO 8 (12) 16/08/1978 Template:Flagicon Branch Brook Ice Rink, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
25 Win 20–3–2 Template:Flagicon Dale Grant TKO 5 (12) 19/06/1978 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
24 Win 19–3–2 Template:Flagicon Richie Kates TKO 6 (12) 10/02/1978 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained NABF Light Heavyweight TitleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
23 Win 18–3–2 Template:Flagicon Dave Lee Royster UD 10 01/11/1977 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
22 Win 17–3–2 Template:Flagicon Billy Douglas TKO 6 (12) 17/09/1977 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". NABF Light Heavyweight Title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
21 Win 16–3–2 Template:Flagicon Marvin Johnson TKO 12 (12) 26/07/1977 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won NABF Light Heavyweight TitleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
20 Win 15–3–2 Template:Flagicon Ed Turner KO 6 (10) 23/06/1977 Template:Flagicon Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
19 Win 14–3–2 Template:Flagicon Joe Maye PTS 10 21/04/1977 Template:Flagicon Fournier Hall, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
18 Loss 13–3–2 Template:Flagicon Eddie Mustafa Muhammad SD 10 11/03/1977 Template:Flagicon Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
17 Template:DrawDraw 13–2–2 Template:Flagicon Mate Parlov PTS 10 03/12/1976 Template:Flagicon Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
16 Loss 13–2–1 Template:Flagicon Marvin Camel MD 10 23/10/1976 Template:Flagicon Adams Field House, Missoula, Montana, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
15 Win 13–1–1 Template:Flagicon Bobby Walker TKO 4 (10) 15/09/1976 Template:Flagicon Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
14 Win 12–1–1 Template:Flagicon Marvin Camel SD 10 17/07/1976 Template:Flagicon Stockton, California, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
13 Win 11–1–1 Template:Flagicon Mate Parlov PTS 8 21/05/1976 Template:Flagicon Palasport di San Siro, Milan, Lombardia, ItalyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
12 Win 10–1–1 Template:Flagicon Harold Carter PTS 10 13/02/1976 Template:Flagicon Painters Mill Theatre, Owings Mills, Maryland, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
11 Template:DrawDraw 9–1–1 Template:Flagicon Wayne McGee PTS 6 21/10/1975 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
10 Win 9–1 Template:Flagicon Roosevelt Brown TKO 4 (10) 24/07/1975 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
9 Win 8–1 Template:Flagicon Vandell Woods KO 6 (10) 25/02/1975 Template:Flagicon The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
8 Loss 7–1 Template:Flagicon Wayne McGee PTS 6 10/12/1974 Template:Flagicon The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
7 Win 7–0 Template:Flagicon Joe Middleton TKO 2 (10) 22/10/1974 Template:Flagicon Roller Rink, Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Win 6–0 Template:Flagicon Lloyd Richardson TKO 4 (10) 10/09/1974 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
5 Win 5–0 Template:Flagicon Joe Jones KO 3 (10) 15/07/1974 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
4 Win 4–0 Template:Flagicon Joe Middleton KO 5 (10) 22/05/1974 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
3 Win 3–0 Template:Flagicon Roy Ingram PTS 4 11/03/1974 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2 Win 2–0 Template:Flagicon Mukeba Apolosa PTS 4 25/02/1974 Template:Flagicon Palais des Sports, Paris, FranceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1 Win 1–0 Template:Flagicon Billy Early TKO 2 (4) 14/01/1974 Template:Flagicon Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:S-sportsTemplate:S-textTemplate:S-vacTemplate:S-vac
NABF light heavyweight champion
July 26, 1977 – 1979
Vacated Template:S-ttl/check

Template:S-vac Template:S-text

Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check WBC light heavyweight champion
April 22, 1979 - December 19, 1981 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
The Ring light heavyweight champion
November 30, 1979 - December 19, 1981 Template:S-ttl/check

Template:S-ach Template:S-before

The Ring magazine Fight of the Year
vs. Yaqui LópezScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1980 Template:S-ttl/check

Template:S-after Template:S-before

The Ring magazine Round of the Year
vs. Marvin JohnsonScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Round 8Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1979 Template:S-ttl/check

Template:S-after Template:S-before

The Ring magazine Round of the Year
vs. Yaqui LópezScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Round 8Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1980 Template:S-ttl/check

Template:S-after Template:S-end

  1. ↑ a b Resources for Human Development. One Step Away, July 2010, "Matthew Saad Muhammad". Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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