Image

9:42 AM / Friday March 29, 2024

31 May 2014

Champion boxer Matthew Saad Muhammad dies at 59

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
May 31, 2014 Category: Sports Posted by:

ABOVE PHOTO:  Matthew Saad Muhammad holds up his light heavyweight title belt as he is carried around the ring after knocking out challenger Lotie Mwale in their title fight in San Diego in 1980. Matthew Saad Muhammad, who was abandoned as a child and rose to become “one of the most exciting boxers of all time” and later an advocate for the homeless after a stay in a shelter himself, died Sunday, May 25, 2014 at a Philadelphia hospital. He was 59.  (AP Photo/File)

 

By Ron Todt

Associated Press

Former light heavyweight champion Matthew Saad Muhammad, who was abandoned as a child and rose to become “one of the most exciting boxers of all time’’ and later an advocate for the homeless after a stay in a shelter himself, has died. He was 59.

Saad Muhammad died Sunday at a Philadelphia hospital, said Kevin Roberts of the nonprofit Resources for Human Development, which Saad Muhammad worked with in recent years.

“He had a lot of ups and downs – like life,’’ said longtime friend Mustafa Ameen.

In 1977, in just his 21st pro fight, Matthew knocked out veteran Marvin Johnson in the 12th round to win the North American Boxing Federation light heavyweight crown. He defended that title three times. He then fought Johnson for the World Boxing Council title in 1979 in Indianapolis, scoring a knockout despite cuts above both eyes in an eighth round named Round of the Year by The Ring magazine.

He defended his world title eight times, seven of them by knockout, before losing the crown in 1981 to Dwight Muhammad Qawi in a 10th-round knockout. He retired in 1992 with a 39-16-3 record and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998.

Flags will fly at half-staff in Saad Muhammad’s memory, the organization announced.

“Saad Muhammad was one of the most exciting boxers of all time. His drama-filled fights were thrilling, and he was a real fan favorite,’’ executive director Edward Brophy said in a statement. “We join the boxing community in mourning his passing.’’

Saad Muhammad was born in 1954 in Philadelphia and lived with an aunt, but was abandoned on the street at age 5 when the family could no longer take care of him, he had said.

“A different relative took me out in the city where I wouldn’t know where I was or how to find my way home, and ran away from me,’’ he wrote in One Step Away, a newspaper produced by residents of Philadelphia shelters. “I was alone on the streets. I was so scared. A policewoman found me, and asked me my name. I told her I didn’t know my name.’’

Taken in by Catholic nuns who named him Matthew from the Bible and Franklin because was found on Philadelphia’s downtown Benjamin Franklin Parkway, he said he found his calling in a boxing gym in south Philadelphia and started his pro career in 1974, just three years before he won the NABF title.

Shortly after becoming champion, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Matthew Saad Muhammad.

Years ago, Saad Muhammad became homeless and took refuge in a Philadelphia shelter but rebounded and had a home when he died, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. He also became an advocate for the homeless.

“He did a lot of great work for the cause of homelessness in Philadelphia,’’ said Roberts.

Ameen said that not only should Saad Muhammad’s fierce fighting style be remembered but also his determination to rise above his circumstances outside of the ring.

“He had a tremendous heart as a fighter, as a professional boxer,’’ Ameen said. “He refused to quit when the odds were against him, and I think that kind of summarized his entire life.’’

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Leave a Comment

Recent News

Philly NAACP

March 24, 2024

March 17, 2024

Tweet Email Tweet Email Related Posts Philadelphia Judicial Primary Candidates At A Glance Guide Philadelphia Judicial Candidates...

Commentary

cj speaks…The call to order

March 23, 2024

Tweet Email Philadelphia’s recent travesties continue to be highlighted in the news: the ongoing shooting incidents, train...

Health

Combatting loneliness in older adults

March 17, 2024

Tweet Email FAMILY FEATURES The bonds found in friendships and other relationships are an important factor in...

Home and Garden

So, You want to build a retaining wall: 6 things to know before you start

March 3, 2024

Tweet Email BPT When you want to enhance your outdoor living space, consider building with retaining wall...

Fur Babies Rule!

Dog grooming advice to keep pets clean and healthy

March 2, 2024

Tweet Email FAMILY FEATURESRegular grooming can keep your dog looking and smelling his or her best, but...

Seniors

‘Soaring’ over hills or ‘playing’ with puppies, study finds seniors enjoy virtual reality

February 23, 2024

Tweet Email By Terry Spencerassociated press POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Retired Army Col. Farrell Patrick taught computer...

The Philadelphia Sunday Sun Staff