Matthew Saad Muhammad

Matthew Saad Muhammad (* August 5, 1954, in Philadelphia, Maxwell Antonio Loach ) is a retired American boxer.

Life

Saad Muhammad 's mother died when he was five years old, his older brother and he was then taken by his aunt. As this education could no longer afford it and summoned his brother, that he should get rid of him, this put him in Philadelphia on Benjamin Franklin park. He later recalled that he tried to run after his brother, but was too slow. He was picked up by nuns of the Catholic Social Services, these named him to the park and the saints Matthew Franklin.

Professional

In 1974 he became a professional. In 1976, he defeated Italy in the undefeated Olympic champion and eventual champions Mate Parlov and punched the rematch a draw, the also undefeated Marvin Camel he defeated in the first battle, then lost the second. Eddie Mustafa Muhammad counter he lost on points in 1977. The dreaded hard-hitting southpaw Marvin Johnson, also he undefeated, he could defeat earlier in the same year. A little later he converted to Islam and called himself since Matthew Saad Muhammad. In 1978 he became champion against the North America also known tough Yaqui Lopez.

On April 22, 1979, he beat Marvin Johnson in his hometown again knockout and won the WBC title at light heavyweight. in his first title defenses, he defeated the prestigious British John Conteh 1979 and 1980 even disputed on points and once by knockout. In July 1980, there came the rematch against Lopez the most famous fight of his career when he was several times on the edge of a knockout loss, but came back and Lopez still defeated by TKO in the fourteenth round. Because of such struggles, he is considered one of the fiercest boxers of all time with legendary fighter's heart. In the same year he beat even the undefeated Sauerland protégé Lotte Mwale KO.

On 19 December 1981 he lost his title by knockout in the hard- hitting Dwight Qawi, who was then still called Braxton, was defeated early in the rematch in 1982. Since then, it went rapidly downhill for Muhammad. In 1984, he ended his career, but had to make a cash strapped, not least completely out badly because of eye problems comeback and went from 1986 to 1992 often against opponents KO, such as against Markus Bott.

1998 was Saad Muhammad induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.