From prison to world champion, the ‘Camden Buzzsaw’ leaves behind a legacy of grit, love, and inspiration (BALTIMORE – July 26, 2025)Â â Dwight Muhammad Qawi, the fierce two-division world champion who rose from the prison yard to boxing immortality, passed away yesterday, Friday, July 25, 2025, at the age of 72 following a five-year battle with dementia. Born Dwight Braxton on January 5, 1953, at Baltimoreâs historic Provident Hospital, Qawi was raised in Camden, New Jersey, where early hardship and bullying shaped the fire within him. âHe was hungry to win,â said his sister Wanda Marvay King, recalling how being bullied as children gave him the drive to succeed. That determination would take him far. While serving time in Rahway State Prison, Qawi discovered boxing and committed himself to the sport. He went on to do the unthinkableâdefeating the then-unbeatable James Scott inside the very prison where they had both been incarcerated. Upon his release in 1978, he launched a professional career that would span two decades. Known as âThe Camden Buzzsawâ for his relentless pressure-fighting style, Qawi captured the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship in 1981 with a dramatic 10th-round TKO of Matthew Saad Muhammad. After defending the title three times, he moved up in weight and won the WBA Cruiserweight Championship in 1985, knocking out Piet Crous in South Africa. In 1986, Qawi fought Olympic gold medalist Evander Holyfield in one of the greatest cruiserweight battles of all time, going 15 hard rounds in a split-decision loss that only further cemented his legend. He retired in 1999 with a record of 41 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw, including 25 knockouts, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004. Beyond the ring, Qawi was a loving and family-oriented man. He lived at 704 West Lafayette Avenue near Baltimoreâs Lafayette Square and remained deeply connected to both Baltimore and Camden throughout his life. He was a devoted son who helped care for his mother, a proud father and grandfather, and a guiding light to young people in trouble. After retiring from boxing, he dedicated himself to service, working as a drug and alcohol counselor and youth advocate at The Lighthouse, a recovery home in Mays Landing, New Jersey. âHe told them to stay off drugs and alcohol and stay out of trouble,â his sister said. âHe was full of love.â Even in his final years, Qawi fought dementia with the same heart and courage that defined his boxing career. âHe fought dementia just like he fought in the ring,â said King. âHe never gave up.â A public memorial service and funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days. For media inquiries, please contact: Wanda King Ph.: 443-251-8614
BALTIMORE, MDÂ â Maryland Commission on Civil Rights Executive Director Cleveland L. Horton II and Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown…
(BALTIMORE – July 23, 2025) –Â If weâre serious about building a New Baltimoreâone that is just, sustainable, and genuinely inclusiveâwe…
If you grew up on Bentalou, Presbury, Whitmore, Thomas, Warwick, Moreland, Ruxton, or even down on Payson Street, chances are youâve got an Easterwood memory.…
Politics
THE NEFERTITI NETWORK
Featured Videos
ABOUT NPL LEGAL DISH: NPL Legal Dish serves up the hottest celebrity legal drama with expert analysis. Each week, we break … Watch full video on YouTube
(BALTIMORE – July 10, 2025) – Over the years, BMORENews has prided itself on telling the stories that matter â stories of resilience, entrepreneurship, legacy,…
(BALTIMORE – July 14, 2025) –Â Baltimore is no stranger to crisis. From ransomware attacks to corruption scandals, from disinvestment to unrest, this city has weathered…
(BALTIMORE – June 13, 2025) – Lyle Muhammad introduced me to Brother Naba’a Richard Muhammad, a Baltimore native, around 1999.…
(BALTIMORE – June 11, 2025) –Â Supporting Black media isnât just a good ideaâitâs a cultural and political necessity. Without the…
You may have missed
(BALTIMORE – July 9, 2025) – I ran for the school board to bring an…
Museum partnering with DC BID and Woolly Mammoth Theatre for weeklong pre-induction celebration with interactive…
This week on NPL Legal Dish: *Chloe Bailey accused of copyright infringment *Pepperdine University suing…
Baltimore native. Ivy League educated. Real estate visionary. In this episode of the Emmy-nominated Doni…
Trending News
Advertisement
(BALTIMORE – June 27, 2025)âAshburton stood tall this past Saturday to honor a true giant in Baltimoreâs Black history. Herbert âHerbâ Brown, a centenarian, veteran, entrepreneur, and architect of political…
Field of Candidates for County Executive, District Five Candidates Announced (BOWIE, MD – December 25, 2024) – The official field of candidates for both the County Executive and District 5 Council special elections has been established, as the filing deadline passed on Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. Both big signs and yard signs are now popping up around the County to raise awareness of the impending election and to elevate the name recognition of candidates. Both primary elections will be held on March 4 while the general election will be moved to June 3, following a decision by the State…
(BALTIMORE – December 25, 2024) –Â I know it shouldnât matter, but the fact is, Santa Claus was a Black man. Saint Nicholas was likely born to affluent Black Anatolians in the ancient Roman Empire, and is therefore not historically regarded as white. Saint Nicholas was born in Patara, a port town on the coast of what is now modern-day Turkey, sometime after 260 CE. As for his ethnicity, the region had been colonized by the Greeks centuries prior, giving Nicholas a Mediterranean complexion and a cultural background that included speaking Greek. Saint Nicholas was a Greek Christian bishop of Myra,…
Workshops: Carl Brown (Facilitator) – 11 am to 12 noon Hands-on sessions on business planning, digital marketing, accessing funding, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. This workshop, facilitated by Carl Brown of the Washington, D.C. Small Business Development Center at Howard University, offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Brown, along with a team of experts, brings diverse expertise to the table: Ericka Alston-Buck: Shares strategies for leveraging traditional and social media. Attorney Robert Dashiell, Esq.: Provides guidance on securing government contracts. Kenny Brown: Offers advertising insights from his legendary career. Omar Muhammad: Leads the Entrepreneurial Development and…
(BALTIMORE – December 25, 2024) – Welcome to the Black Wall Street NEW YEAR EMPOWERMENT Summit! Join us at the Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures for an inspiring event filled with workshops, speakers, networking opportunities, and the coveted Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards. This is your chance to connect with like-minded individuals and gain valuable insights to kickstart your new year with positivity and empowerment. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to grow and thrive in the new year! Event Summary Goals: Celebrate the achievements of the previous year. Provide valuable resources and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and community…
Official Schedule of Events Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament 2025 BALTIMORE Saturday, February 22nd  8:00 a.m. â 3:00 p.m. Baltimore Youth Sports Clinic presented by Visit Baltimore Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, Baltimore TBD  Men’s and Women’s Tip-Off Awards Baltimore Convention Center – Ballrooms TBD Invitation only Tuesday, February 25th Session A 10:00 am, 12:10 p.m., 2:20 p.m., & 4:30 p.m. Women’s Tournament â Games 1 – 4 CFG Bank Arena(Times are approximate)Televised on ESPN+ â Men’s Tournament â Games 1 – 2 CFG Bank Arena(Times are approximate)Televised on ESPN+ 8:00 am | Starts at 8:45 a.m.. Wells Fargo CIAA Financial Literacy…
Tune in as we talk with the current state’s attorney, who has put her name in the ring to become the next county executive of Prince … Watch full video on YouTube
Kwanzaa (/ËkwÉËnzÉ/) is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West, East, as well as Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. Twenty-first-century estimates place the number of Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa between 500,000 and 2,000,000. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa)
We are open 7 days a week Sunday through Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM , Friday & Saturday, 11AM to 11PM for Lunch or Dinner. Visit www.nextphazecafe.com to Order on line for Delivery or Pickup or call 410.449.3232 Visit www.nextphazecafe.com for menu, catering, and rental information.
14-Year-Old Entrepreneur, Athlete, and Honor Roll Student Launches Flip Games, A Cutting-Edge Online Gaming Company (BALTIMORE â December 22, 2024) â Be sure to attend the Black Wall Street New Year EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Sankofa Childrenâs Museum of African Cultures at 4330 Pimlico Rd. This will be an inspiring event filled with workshops, speakers, networking opportunities, and, of course, the coveted Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards. This event is presented by BMORENews.com, the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA), and Fulton Bank. RSVP to BlackWallStreetSummit2025.eventbrite.com. Honorees receiving the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards include Sebastian Coates. Who…
This week on NPL Legal Dish: *Did Tony Buzbee infect one of his client’s with an STI? *Fortnite fined $245 million for in-game … Watch full video on YouTube
Ukraine Conflict
