40 years ago: Dwight Muhammad "Camden Buzzsaw" Qawi (née Braxton) vs. Petrus Arnoldus "Piet" Crous

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With this, Qawi would become a 2 division champion in just his 5th bout at cruiser after being relieved of his WBC light heavyweight title by Michael Spinks and subsequently moving up. He would make just a single defense of this WBA cruiserweight belt - as it happens, against Mike's brother Leon Spinks - before running into the brick wall that was prime 190 pound Evander "Real Deal" Holyfield (an obstacle he would ultimately never pass; earning a rematch with his gutsy FOTY candidate defense in '86 but getting crushed in 4 the following year after Holyfield had sweetened the pot with the addition of the IBF strap).

Crous fought just a handful more times after this, mostly also at the same Sun City Superbowl (Qawi marked his 3rd of 6 dates in the venue). He would end his career never having fought outside South Africa. He had become champion by inviting Osvaldo "Ossie" Ocasio into the Superbowl and outhustling Ocasio to take a 15 round UD over the Puerto Rican. In a fun bit of boxing triangle-theory wonkiness - Ocasio would later defeat Qawi, albeit very controversially. Crous, like Qawi after him, would make just one successful defense - getting off the canvas in a brief brutal war with Clifford Randolph "Randy" Stephens.

Earlier this month, Crous, who remains alive & well, turned 70 years old. Two days ago, Qawi, now 72½, passed away. RIP, champ.

 

Qawi on Friday lost a 5 year battle with dementia. He got to spend the last 21 years of his life and official Hall of Famer.