I mean this fight would have truly been one of the greatest ever if they operated in the same weight class during their respective primes, but alas that is not the case.
Saad Muhamad or formely known as Matthew Franklin was trashed ( knocked out two times in a row) by the Camden Buzzsaw, Dwight Muhammad Qawi formerly known as Dwight Braxton for the WBC Light Heavyweight title both in AC and Philadelphia and Evander Holyfield not only fought fifteen rounds with him in his 13th pro fight in the Atlanta's Omni ( which only had been done by Michael Spinks for the LHWT unification and he was knockdown for the first time in his career there, not the first time against Tyson in Trump Plaza as a HWT like Larry Merchant says) and KTFO Qawi in the rematch so even at Jr Hwt or CW, take you conclusions.
The OP. Said prime versions. Saad was already past his best by the time Qawi got to him. Saad's prime was in the mid to late 70's.
No question he started in the mid 70s, in 1974 to be precise, but he also captured the WBC title from Marvin Johnson in 8 rounds and had also TKOed him in the last of a twelve rounder unforgettable NABF Title fight in the Spectrum Philadelphia. He had a tremendous fight and a 14th round TKO against Yaqui Lopez in the previous year ( Ring Mag fight of the yera 1980) he got beat by Qawi. So it was more of the relentless punching and power of Qawi than otherwise. Anyway, matthe Saad Muhammad or Matthew Franklin was one the best warriors in that division and Evander Holyfield really lived up to the commitment and sacrifice put on the ring by Matthew.
