Former WBC light heavyweight champion Matthew Saad Muhammad, 49-16-3 (35), of Philadelphia died early Sunday morning at the Chestnut Hill Hospital, in Philadelphia. He had been suffering from ALS the Lou Gehrig’s disease. Like the champion he was he fought it up until the end. This writer was informed by Muhammad’s former Business Administrator and long-time friend Mustafa Ameen.
Muhammad was a legend for his toughness inside the ring and his smile outside the ring and warm greeting for friends and fans. He made 8 successful defenses holding the title from April of 1979 to December of 1981.
This is one boxer that could be called “Warrior” and none of his opponents during that period would question it.
This writer visited the home of PA HOF inductee Steve Traitz, Sr. who trained Matthew for several of his fights Saturday. Present was former light heavyweight contender Tony Green informed this writer of Matthew’s condition.
Green put this writer on the phone with Mustapha Amin who was the Business Administrator for Matthew up until the second Qwai fight. He informed me that the former WBC light heavy and WBA cruiser champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi had made a visit to the hospital. Dwight and Matthew boxed one another in December of 1981 and August of 1982.
This writer acknowledged a note Dwight had left for Matthew by the night stand upon my visit to the hospital upon leaving the home of Traitz. Mustapha asked everyone to pray for Matthew and if needed to call Mustapha at 253-951-8555 which is in the DC area.
