I'm on a Dwight Muhammad Qawi kick now!

[Master]

Holy field v quawi was war of attrition.

Just a great fight to watch.

fans who like to rip on fighters as not worthy of a title shot with 20+ wins or claiming padded records, need to look at Evander's record going into this fight. Less than 2 years pro at that.

His fights with Saad Muhhamad were some good ones & beating Spinks so easy, wow. Leon that is.

In the rematch with Holyfield, Evander caught him with a good left hook and finished it quickly.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ February 4, 1980

King's Park Stadium ~ Durban ~ KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Attendance ......... { 13,000 } 'Sell-Out"

Theunis Kok ~ 8-0-0 {7 KO's} ~ 6' 3" ~ 177 lbs. ~ {#10 WBA}
vs.
Dwight Braxton ~ 5-1-1 {1 KO} ~ 5' 6" ~ 176 lbs.~ {Not Rated}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 22 year-old 'southpaw' South African gave Dwight Braxton 'fits' over the first 7-Rounds, as
the 6' 3" tall Theunis Kok landed 'right-hand' after 'right-hand' on the 'short-and-stocky' American.

Theunis also added in a variety of left-hand bombs on Dwight's chin > leaving him baffled, bewildered
and embarrassed.

It was as Dwight later stated > "A back-alley Dog fight."

But, American Trainer - Angelo Dundee was worried that Theunis was losing steam, as he started to
fade in Round 8.

On the other hand, the 27 year-old Braxton {who hade never fought past 8-Rounds before} was still
coming.

Coming out for Round 10 {Final Round}, Theunis was well ahead in the bout in Rounds {5-2-2}, but
he was tired and fading fast.

In Round 10 > Dwight started unloading his overhand-right, and after shaking Theunis, Dwight came
back with 'hard' right-hand to the jaw hit-the-floor, where the South African was counted out at 1:49 of
Round 10 by Referee - Peter Conradt.

The South African - Theunis Kok was 'laid out' on the canvas for several minutes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ After Bout Comments ~

Angelo Dundee >

"That New Jersey Light-Heavyweight {Dwight} Braxton is 'no' 7-Bout Pro. He fought like an
experienced 25-Bout veteran."

"I believe we were sent 'a ringer'. I know all those fighters at Joe Frazier's Gym in
Philadelphia, and I'm going to find about this guy {Dwight Braxton}."

"My guy {Theunis} only had 8-Bouts coming into this bout. He's good, but not that experienced
yet. But this guy {Dwight Braxton} fought like a 'seasoned' Pro over the last 3-Rounds, when he
should have been tired."

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ August 14, 1980

[SlimTrae]

Thursday ~ August 14, 1980

Phil Wade had a smooth afro.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Slim Trae ~

You have a 'keen eye' for Hairdo's.

Phil Wade, out of Joplin, Missouri.

Listed height of 6' 0" {with Afro}.

A wonderfully talented Amateur, who posted a record of 43-8 with {10 KO's.}

Not so wonderful as a Professional, as Phil went 1-11-0 with '9' Knockout Losses
over a 2-Year career {February 16, 1980 thru April 10, 1982}.

Phil's favorite excuse for losing >

"My hair got in my eyes."

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Johnny Davis vs. Dwight Braxton II ~ 'The Rematch' ~

Round 8

Johnny comes out jabbing, but he stays far outside and away from Dwight over the
first 30-Seconds.

Dwight forces Johnny to the left-side Ropes, but Johnny is scoring with 'pecking'
left-jabs at the {1:00 Mark}.

Dwight continues to stalk and put pressure on Johnny. But, Dwight is waiting too long
and is 'not' punching at the {1:15 Mark}.

The fighters 'clinch' at the {1:18 Mark}, and Dwight looks frustrated.

Johnny lands a good 'left-right' to Dwight's head at the {1:43 Mark}.

By the {2:00 Mark}, Dwight is stationary, and has 'not' been effective. Dwight finally
lands a good punch, with a 'right-hand' lead.

Johnny moves to the right-side Ropes at the {2:03 Mark}. Johnny is doing a good job of
tieing up Dwight, and preventing him from using his strength to maul.

At the {2:10 Mark}, Johnny lands a good 'left-right' to the head, while Dwight is 'flat-footed'
at Center-Ring.

Dwight catches Johnny with a good left-hook at the {2:13 Mark}.

But Johnny comes back with a quick 'left-right', and then follows up with another sharp 'left-right'
at the {2:24 Mark}.

Dwight then moves in close, and 'mauls' Johnny at the {2:30 Mark}, as Johnny again fires in
a quick 'left-right'.

Dwight ducks low, and scores with a good 'left-right-left-right' which rattles Johnny, and
sends him to the left-side Ropes at the {2:38 Mark}.

The action stalls over the last 20-Seconds.

Round 8 ....... {5-4} > Johnny Davis

[X]

Qawi was a really good fighter, who fought in the golden era of the ligjt heavy division; Saad Muhammad, Yaqui Lopez, John Conteh, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Marvin Johnson. What a collection of tough, talented guys.

Qawi was like a mini Frazier, aggressive and short armed. Tough and never intimidated (beating Scott inside Rahway prison wasn't such a tough ask for him though, as he'd been a con in there too).

The Hholyfield fight was a complete war, but I do believe that Holyfield was already juicing by that stage so I'm actually more impressed with Qawi in this fight that in 'Evan Fields'

[Dia bando]

Dwight is a most underrated Champion, hell he could fight and a fighter I liked yes I am a big
fan.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Here Was A Fight ~

Thursday ~ August 14, 1980

* 'Rockin' Rick Jester - 7-1-0- {7 KO's} ~ 5' 10" ~ 175 lbs. {Age; 23 years, 9 months}
vs.
* Dwight 'The Camden Buzzsaw' Braxton - 9-1-1 {5 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 175 lbs. {Age; 27 years, 7 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ ESPN Tournament ~

Rick Jester was from the famous 'Kronk Gym'.

Rick was 'highly-touted', as he was the 1976 and 1977 National Golden Gloves Champion.

To say that Rick could hit with frightening power was an understatement. Only '1' of his
8-Bouts had gone past the 2nd Round.

'The word was' > You could hear the power of Rick's punches thru the air at Ringside.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Bout ~

For 2-Rounds, Rick Jester 'unloaded' his arsenal of bombs. Several punches bounced off the head
of the shorter Dwight Braxton, rocking him backwards.

Rick bombed away in Round 1, and for the most of Round 2. But Dwight {just smiled} and kept coming.

Suddenly, Rick realized that he couldn't hurt his short-and-stocky opponent, and tried to box from the outside.

Then in Round 3, Dwight came on like a 'Buzzsaw' and went through Rick Jester like a sharp rotating
cutting-blade.

Dwight backed Rick up into a Corner, and just kept punching, taking everything out of the 'Kronk Fighter'.

Then with a battered fighter hanging on the Ropes, the Referee called a halt to the bout just before the
{2:00 Mark}.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ After Bout Comments ~

Dwight Braxton >
"I had been working {sparring} with Michael Spinks down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for 2-Weeks prior to
this bout. I knew that I had to be in great condition to fight Rick Jester."

"I was very worried in my Corner before the Bell. I knew that Rick could punch, and that he was coming
out with both 'guns blazing'. In the first 2-Rounds, I could actually hear his punches 'whiz' by my head.
I have never heard punches like that before. Man, can that dude punch."

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ January 8, 1981

Resorts International ~ Atlantic City, New Jersey

ESPN - Television Broadcast

~ The Rematch Between Two Fighters Who Truly Dislike Each Other ~
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Dwight Braxton - 11-1-1 {7 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 174 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 0 months}
vs.
* Johnny Davis - 12-2-0 {5 KO's} ~ 5' 10" ~ 174 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 5 months}

~ The Skinny ~

The 'rematch' between '2' rising Light-Heavyweights. Their '1st-Bout' was over 2-Years
ago on {November 2, 1978}.

The winner has been guaranteed a $10,000 Television Bout for March 1981.

Dwight Braxton >
"I felt that I won that 1st-Bout in New York. They gave it to him because he was the
New York Golden Gloves Champion, not because he earned the win. If he was from
out of New York State, I would have gotten the Decision. He knows it."

"I tried to get a rematch with him for 2-Years, and he always had an excuse. Now,
I've got him here in New Jersey."

"Davis is still a 6-Round fighter. He' nothing more than a 'glorified' Amateur. He should
still be fighting in the Preliminaries. He doesn't belong here in a 10-Rounder."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johnny Davis >
"Braxton is a clown. I'm going to send him back to the 'cave' he came out of."

"That little midget is a 'Neanderthal'. Look at him, his damn knuckles nearly drag along
the ground."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Double Skinny ~

Dwight has been showing steady improvement in his power. He has won '6' straight by
Knockout.

Dwight has also won '4' straight on ESPN, including winning the ESPN Light-Heavyweight
Tournament.

But, in his last bout against Tony Mesoraca on {November 6, 1980}. Dwight admitted that
he was 'gassed' in Round 6, though he did win by a {TKO 6} stoppage over Tony.

Dwight Braxton >
"I punched myself out when I fought Tony Mesoraca. I hurt him, and then I tried to put him
down and out. I didn't pace myself, and all of sudden I had nothing behind my punches.
I was lucky they stopped it in the 6th, because I had nothing left."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johnny went undefeated {10-0-0} until losing an 'upset' 8-Round Split-Decision to Bernard McClean
on May 23, 1980 at the Felt Forum in New York.

Johnny also lost a tough 8-Round Decision to #10 World-Rated - Vonzell Johnson on August 9, 1980.

Johnny did bounce back to defeat {W Dec 8} Bernard McClean in a rematch on September 12, 1980.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday 8 ~ January 8, 1981

Resorts International ~ Atlantic City, New Jersey

ESPN Broadcast

~ Johnny Davis vs. Dwight Braxton II ~ "The Rematch" ~

Television Announcers
* Sal Marciano
* Jack McKinney

~ Dwight Braxton's Late Rally Enables To Win A Majority Decision Over 10 ~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 1

Both fighters came in at {174 lbs.}. Dwight started off by firing low left-jabs into Johnny's mid-section.
Dwight stayed aggressive, and was sing a 'fast-pace'.

Johnny was on the defensive, and was looking to counter.

Dwight landed a good left-hook to the head at the {1:02 Mark}, and again at the {1:40 Mark}, and
then caught Johnny with a big right-uppercut at the {1:46 Mark} that sent Johnny into the Ropes.

Dwight then 'mauled' Johnny over on the Ropes for the next 30-Seconds.

Dwight carried the fight for the first {2:20}.

The 1st Round was 'action-filled'. Johnny put forth a 'good-rally' over the last 30-Seconds by scoring
with some good long-range left jabs to Dwight's head.

Round 1 ....... {5-4} > Dwight Braxton.

Note >
During the Round, {Sal Marciano} mentioned that Johnny Davis defeated Dwight Braxton 2-years earlier,
and that the win was 'No Fluke', as Johnny used left-jabs and long right-hands to earn the 6-Round Decision.

{Sal} also mentioned that Dwight had developed a real good left-hook, and that he used that punch to score
'4' straight Knockouts during the ESPN Tournament.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 2

The pace was 'much' slower in Round 2. Johnny was able to set up by circling to his left, and fired out with
a 'boat-load' of left-jabs.

Dwight was stationary at Center-Ring, and was looking to counter with a big-punch. But, Johnny displayed
very quick-hands, and good footwork.

Johnny caught Dwight with a 'solid' right-hand at the {1:54 Mark} which jarred him. Johnny had a very
good last-minute, as he scored repeatedly with an accurate long-range left-hand.

Round 2 .... {5-4} > Johnny Davis
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 3

Dwight opens up by stalking aggressively. Johnny is showing good movement, so he will not allow himself
to get trapped along the Ropes or in a Corner.

At the {0:30 Mark}, Johhny opens up with a good 'left-right-left'. Then comes back with a crisp double left-jab
and sharp right-hand to Dwight's jaw.

Dwight is still pressing, and catches Johnny with a good left-hook and a 'jolting' right-hand to the head at
the {0:40 Mark}.

But Johnny circles away, and then starts working Dwight over with 'double' left-jabs and straight right-hands
into the face.

By the {1:45 Mark}, it is all Johnny Davis.

But Dwight still forges ahead, and late in the Round {2:29 Mark}, he catches Johnny with a good 'right-left' to
the jaw while he's on the front Ropes.

But Johnny again spins out, and comes back with his own solid right-hand to Dwight's head. Johnny then
smartly boxes over the last 25-Seconds, and puts down 'back-to-back' solid Rounds.

Round 3 ....... {5-4} > Johnny Davis

Note >
During the Round {Sal Marciano} mentions that Dwight has both Wesley Mouzon and Quenzell McCall
working in his Corner.

[Bill Paxtom]

Johnny Davis versus Dwight Braxton II ~ 'The Rematch'

Round 4

Johnny displayed less movement at the beginning of the Round, in an attempt to
save energy.

At the {0:30 Mark}. Dwight drove Johnny towards the left-side Ropes. Johnny grabbed
Dwight to hold, but Dwight kept punching.

Then as Johnny slid in from of Dwight at the {0:39 Mark}, Dwight his Johnny from behind,
and then drove his hip into Johnny's rump.

Referee - Joe O'Neill immediately 'warned' Dwight for an illegal foul.

Just 12-Seconds later, at the {0:51 Mark}, Dwight hit Johnny in the back of his head as
he turned sideways while clinching.

By the {1:40 Mark}, Dwight had closed the distance, and was 'mauling' Johnny over with
arm-punches.

Then in a 'flash' at the {1:46 Mark}, Johnny 'nailed' Dwight with solid flurry of punches,
and Johnny controlled the action for the next {26-Seconds} until the {2:12 Mark}.

Dwight continued to move forward, as Johnny slowed down a bit over the last 30-Seconds.
But Johnny was 'pecking' away with left-jabs, while Dwight did not counter at all.

Round 4 ....... {5-5} > 'Even'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 5

Johnny opened up by dancing-on-his-toes, and moved well around the Ring. By the {0:20 Mark},
Johnny was along the front Ropes trying to hold.

Dwight moved in close, and smothered Johnny with mauling-punches to the body at the {0:30 Mark}

> It was a typical 'boxer' versus 'brawler' fight.

Dwight continued to maul inside, and controlled the action thru the {1:50 Mark}.

Johnny started to get back into the Round, by landing with light left-jabs, but he was 'not' slowing
Dwight down.

At the {2:05 Mark}, Johnny was finally able to get some distance, and let go with a good 'left-right'
to Dwight's face.

Johnny then added in a 'left-left-right'. To stop Johnny's momentum, Dwight started to get rough, and
used rough-house tactics while in close.

At the {2:35 Mark} Dwight drove Johnny into the right-side Ropes, and slammed in a good 'left-left-right'
to Johnny's eye area., and a barrage to the body,

When Johnny came off the Ropes at the {2:48 Mark} he was 'blinking' his right-eye.

Jonny held off Dwight for the last 10-Seconds.

Round 5 ..... {5-4} > Dwight Braxton

Note
Announcer > Jack McKinney stated that Johnny was able to get some distance at the {2:05 Mark} to keep
Dwight off of him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------