07/12/2026
— Holyfield toughest fight. Two greats. Two journeys. One unforgettable war.
Evander Holyfield vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi (1st meeting)
SD in round 15 of 15
August 12, 1986
The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Referee: Vincent Rainone
WBA Cruiserweight Title (2nd defense by Qawi)
Evander Holyfield’s road to greatness began in Atlanta, where a young fighter with Olympic dreams developed into “The Real Deal” — a champion defined by discipline, courage, and an unbreakable will to compete. He would go on to become one of boxing’s greatest champions, conquering both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. He became the undisputed cruiserweight champion and a four-time heavyweight world champion, holding the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles during his legendary career. A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Holyfield’s legacy is built on some of the greatest battles in boxing history.
But Dwight Muhammad Qawi’s story was one of boxing’s greatest redemption journeys. Born Dwight Braxton in Baltimore, he faced hardship early in life and was sentenced to prison for armed robbery, spending nearly five years incarcerated. Behind those walls, he found discipline and purpose through boxing. That transformation created “The Camden Buzzsaw” — a world champion feared for his toughness, intelligence, pressure, and warrior spirit. He became WBC light heavyweight champion and WBA cruiserweight champion, and his achievements earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, honoring one of boxing’s most courageous and skilled warriors.
On July 12, 1986, their paths collided in a legendary 15-round battle. Qawi pushed the young Holyfield beyond his limits, forcing him to dig deeper than ever before. It was a defining moment that helped shape the champion Holyfield would become.
As Holyfield later said about Qawi and their first fight:
“Qawi was by far the toughest fight. No fighter ever pushed me to that limit.”
A night that proved greatness is not only about winning — it is about surviving the moments that test your soul.
