Editing Matthew Saad Muhammad

{{short description|American boxer (1954–2014)}}
{{redirect|Matthew Franklin|the computer scientist|Matthew K. Franklin}}
{{Infobox boxer
|name=Matthew Saad Muhammad
|image=Matthew Saad Muhammad.jpeg
|image_size=
|caption=
|realname=(born Maxwell Antonio Loach,<br>formerly Matthew Franklin)
|nickname=Miracle Matthew
|weight=[[Light heavyweight]]
|height=5 ft 11 in
|reach=75 in
|nationality=American
|birth_date={{Birth date|1954|06|16|mf=y}}
|birth_place=[[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania, U.S.
|death_date={{Death date and age|2014|05|25|1954|06|16|mf=y}}
|death_place=[[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania, U.S.
|style=[[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
|total=58
|wins=39
|KO=29
|losses=16
|draws=3
|no contests=
}}

'''Matthew Saad Muhammad''' (born '''Maxwell Antonio Loach'''; June 16, 1954 – May 25, 2014) was an American [[professional boxer]] who was the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] [[Light Heavyweight]] Champion of the World for two-and-a-half years.

==Background==
Saad Muhammad's mother died when he was an infant,<ref name="ridge">Resources for Human Development. ''One Step Away'', July 2010, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20100815020701/http://www.rhd.org/rhdstories/miraclematthew.aspx Matthew Saad Muhammad]". Retrieved 25 October 2010.</ref> and he and his elder brother were sent to live with an aunt. When he was five, his aunt could not afford to look after both of them and she instructed his brother to get rid of him. His brother took him to [[Philadelphia]]'s [[Benjamin Franklin]] Parkway and then ran away. Saad was found in the early hours asleep on the steps of a church. He was then taken in by Catholic Social Services. The [[nuns]] gave him the name '''Matthew Franklin''' (after the [[Saint Matthew|saint]] and the parkway where he was found). Matthew lived in foster care until a couple from Philadelphia adopted him, raised him, and took care of him like he was their own.<ref>{{cite news
| author = Nigel Collins
| title = Nigel Collins on Saad Muhammad's Search for His Elusive Identity - Inside the Ring &Out
| url =
| work = [[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]
| date = July 1981|pages=18–23
}}</ref>

Saad Muhammad was very popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s among boxing fans because of his particularly action-oriented style. Saad Muhammad was known for his ability to take punishment and mount comebacks, and because of this, he was nicknamed '''Miracle Matthew'''.

Saad Muhammad was also part of a group of world light heavyweight champions who became [[Muslim]]s and changed their names during his era as a Light-Heavyweight, the others being [[Eddie Mustafa Muhammad]] (born as Eddie Gregory), and [[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]] (born as Dwight Braxton).  Saad Muhammad confirmed this in interviews following his boxing career, stating that he was inspired to convert by [[Muhammad Ali]]'s conversion.<ref name="Whitaker">{{cite web |last=Whitaker |first=Tim |url=http://www.phillymag.com/articles/how-boxer-matthew-saad-muhammad-went-from-millionaire-to-homeless/?all=1 |title=From Champion Boxer to Down and Out: Matthew Saad Muhammad's Story &#124; Articles |publisher=Phillymag.com |date=2011-07-26 |access-date=2014-06-20 |archive-date=2015-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128121104/http://www.phillymag.com/articles/how-boxer-matthew-saad-muhammad-went-from-millionaire-to-homeless/?all=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Amateur career==
Saad Muhammad had a relatively short amateur career, consisting of only 20 amateur bouts.  He won the Trenton (NJ) Golden Gloves in 1973 and turned pro the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/matthew-you-gave-everything-you-had-247260#more-247260 |title=Boxing News &#124; Matthew: You Gave Everything You Had! |publisher=Fightnews.com |access-date=2014-06-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529122026/http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/matthew-you-gave-everything-you-had-247260#more-247260 |archive-date=2014-05-29 }}</ref>

==Professional boxing career==
Saad Muhammad began to box professionally in 1974, winning his first fight with a second-round [[knockout]] win against Billy Early. He posted seven more wins that year before suffering his first loss at the hands of Wayne McGee by a decision in six rounds.

In 1975, after two wins, he and McGee fought again, in a six-round draw. In 1976, he had two matches each with future world champions [[Marvin Camel]] and [[Mate Parlov]].

His first fight with Parlov, in [[Milan]], was also his first fight abroad. He beat Parlov in an eight-round decision. He then beat Camel in a ten-round decision, but lost the rematch, also in a ten-round decision. He returned to [[Italy]] for a rematch with Parlov, which resulted in a ten-round draw.

Saad Muhammad began 1977 by losing to Mustafa Muhammad (then Edward Lee Gregory), but then defeated the future three-time world champion [[Marvin Johnson (boxer)|Marvin Johnson]] by a knockout in round 12 for the [[United States]] Light-Heavyweight title in his first nationally televised match.

In 1978, he won all four of his bouts, including successful defenses of his title against former world title challenger Richie Kates and against four-time world title challenger [[Yaqui López]]. The Lopez fight, their first of two, was considered a classic by boxing experts, Saad Muhammad surviving a relentless attack by López to score an 11th-round knockout.

In 1979, after Johnson became world champion by defeating Parlov, he and Saad Muhammad met again on April 22 in Johnson's hometown of [[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis]] for the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]]'s world light heavyweight crown . In a fight considered by many experts as a ''Saad Muhammad classic'', and which subsequently featured on [[ESPN]]'s ''Classic Fights'' show, Saad Muhammad won with an eight-round knockout after staggering Johnson towards the end of the seventh round.  Shortly afterward, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Matthew Saad Muhammad.<ref>{{Citation|title=Matthew Franklin vs Marvin Johnson 2 Classic SLUGFEST Matthew Saad Muhammad|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z94t81BkK0c| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121234718/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z94t81BkK0c| archive-date=2013-01-21 | url-status=dead|language=en|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref>

In his first title defense, Saad Muhammad met former world champion [[John Conteh]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]]. He retained the world title with a 15-round decision. The decision, however, was voided and a rematch ordered because Muhammad's cornermen used an illegal substance to stop the bleeding from a cut.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2zsyAAAAIBAJ&pg=1178,5264166|title=Fight declared void |date=1979-12-10 |access-date=2014-06-20}}</ref> Muhammad retained the crown with a knockout in round four in the second bout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-u5UAAAAIBAJ&pg=5518,7114935 |title=Conteh floored five times in one round |date=1980-03-31 |access-date=2014-06-20}}</ref> After defeating Louis Pergaud, he and López met again, this time, with the world title on the line. Their rematch has also been shown by ESPN's ''classic'' network several times, it was the ''fight of the year'' for 1980, according to ''[[Ring Magazine]]'', and is still written about by boxing aficionados.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gibson|first1=Paul|title=Great rounds of boxing history: Saad Muhammad v López II, round eight|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/the-balls-of-wrath/2014/nov/05/great-rounds-boxing-history-matthew-saad-muhammad-yaqui-lopez-eight|website=The Guardian|access-date=19 October 2016|date=2014-11-05}}</ref> Saad Muhammad was hit with 20 ''unanswered'' blows in round eight, but he recovered and dropped López five times en route to a 14th-round knockout win. "This was my toughest fight," said Saad Muhammad of the fight, which some consider the closest López ever came to a world title.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Carbert|first1=Michael|title=July 13, 1980: Muhammad vs Lopez II|url=http://www.thefightcity.com/saad-muhammad-vs-lopez-yaqui-lopez-matthew-saad-muhammad-rematch-light-heavyweight-boxing/|website=The Fight City|access-date=19 October 2016|date=2016-07-13}}</ref>

He then went on to defeat [[Lottie Mwale]], Vonzell Johnson, future world Super-Middleweight champion [[Murray Sutherland]] and Jerry Martin, all in defense of his world title, before losing to Dwight Muhammad Qawi in December 1981. In yet another fight that would later be shown on ESPN's classic network, Saad Muhammad lost his title when Qawi knocked him out in 10 rounds.

Saad Muhammad entered 1982 with a rematch against Qawi within his sights, and he defeated Pete McIntyre by a knockout in round two. The rematch between Saad Muhammad and Qawi came off in August, at Saad Muhammad's hometown of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]. The second time around, Qawi won by a knockout in round six.

From there on until 1992, Saad Muhammad fought sporadically and with limited success. He had been confronting vision problems, and in 1986, he declared himself in [[bankruptcy]].

After he lost the rematch to Qawi fought in [[Australia]], [[Spain]], [[The Bahamas]] and [[Trinidad and Tobago]].

===MMA career===
Saad Muhammad also took a turn in the forerunner of mixed martial arts in Japan, participating in the first [[UWF International]] (UWFi) event in 1991.  Matched against [[Kiyoshi Tamura]], Saad Muhammad talked a great deal at a lead-in press conference. He declined to say in which round he would knock Tamura out, but guaranteed a victory. Tamura submitted Saad Muhammad 34&nbsp;seconds into the first round.

==Retirement from boxing==
[[File:Grave of Matthew Saad Muhammad.jpg|thumb|Grave of boxer Matthew Saad Muhammad at [[Ivy Hill Cemetery (Philadelphia)|Ivy Hill Cemetery]]]]
Saad Muhammad retired from professional boxing with a record of 39 wins, 16 losses and 3 draws, with 29 wins by knockout.

In 1998, he became a member of the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].

==Boxing trainer==
Muhammad trained up and coming fighters out of [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]] and worked closely with former Indian Olympic boxing team heavyweight Gurcharan "The Guru" Singh.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Bernard |title=Pride of India ends long layoff with victory |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/hp/sports/20071020_Pride_of_India_ends_long_layoff_with_victory.html |access-date=13 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Retirement and death==
In July 2010, Saad Muhammad was homeless and living in a shelter in Philadelphia.<ref name=ridge/>  He later became involved in charity work in the Philadelphia area, some of which focused on raising money for the homeless.<ref name="Whitaker"/>
He died at a hospital in Philadelphia on May 25, 2014; his cause of death was unknown, though he was diagnosed with [[amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]] (ALS).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/sports/matthew-saad-muhammad-boxing-champion-is-dead.html|title=Matthew Saad Muhammad, Boxing Champion, Is Dead|last=Weber|first=Bruce|date=2014-05-27|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-01-18|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Muhammad was listed as number 24 on ''[[Ring Magazine]]''{{'s}} list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}}

==Professional boxing record==

{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=3
|nc=
|ko-wins=29
|ko-losses=8
|dec-wins=10
|dec-losses=8
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|58
|{{no2}}Loss
|39–16–3
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jason Waller
|KO
|2 (8)
|21/03/1992
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Colonial Theatre, Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|57
|{{no2}}Loss
|39–15–3
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Andrew Maynard (boxer)|Andrew Maynard]]
|TKO
|3 (8)
|29/10/1991
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Washington Convention Center|Convention Center]] Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|56
|{{no2}}Loss
|39–14–3
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Mike Green
|PTS
|8 
|05/10/1991
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Woodbridge, Virginia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|55
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–13–3
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Govoner Chavers
|KO
|1 (8)
|15/08/1991
|align=left|{{flagicon|SPA}} {{small|Plaza de Toros de Puerto Banus, Marbella, Andalucia, Spain}}
|align=left|
|-
|54
|{{no2}}Loss
|38–13–3
|align=left|{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Anton Josipović]]
|PTS
|8
|09/05/1991
|align=left|{{flagicon|YUG}} {{small|Novi Sad, Serbia, Yugoslavia}}
|align=left|
|-
|53
|{{no2}}Loss
|38–12–3
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Ed Mack
|UD
|8
|26/02/1991
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[32nd St. and Lancaster Ave. Philadelphia Armory|National Guard Armory]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|52
|{{no2}}Loss
|38–11–3
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Markus Bott]]
|TKO
|3 (8)
|16/02/1990
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} {{small|Sporthalle, Wandsbek, Germany}}
|align=left|
|-
|51
|{{draw}}Draw
|38–10–3
|align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} Kevin Wagstaff
|PTS
|8
|24/10/1989
|align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} {{small|[[Brisbane Entertainment Centre]], Boondall, Queensland, Australia}}
|align=left|
|-
|50
|{{no2}}Loss
|38–10–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Frankie Swindell]]
|TKO
|1 (8)
|21/10/1988
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Quality Inn Hotel, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–9–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Lee Harris
|TKO
|1 (8)
|08/04/1988
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|The Showplace Arena, Mechanicsville, Virginia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–9–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Bobby Thomas
|UD
|10
|04/12/1987
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Millsap Community Center, Weirton, Virginia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|47
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–9–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|BAH}} James Coakley
|KO
|3 (10)
|26/06/1987
|align=left|{{flagicon|BAH}} {{small|Nassau, Bahamas}}
|align=left|
|-
|46
|{{no2}}Loss
|35–9–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|BAH}} Pat Strachan
|UD
|10
|30/01/1987
|align=left|{{flagicon|BAH}} {{small|Nassau, Bahamas}}
|align=left|
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–8–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|COL}} Tomas Polo Ruiz
|UD
|10
|16/11/1986
|align=left|{{flagicon|TRI}} {{small|Jean Pierre Sports Complex, Mucurapo, Trinidad and Tobago}}
|align=left|
|-
|44
|{{no2}}Loss
|34–8–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|JAM}} [[Uriah Grant]]
|UD
|10
|21/02/1986
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Galt Ocean Mile Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–7–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chris Wells
|TKO
|6 (10)
|10/01/1986
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Diplomat Hotel, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|42
|{{no2}}Loss
|33–7–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Willie Edwards
|TKO
|11 (12)
|11/02/1984
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Joe Louis Arena]], Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|For [[North American Boxing Federation|NABF]] Light Heavyweight Title}}
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–6–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Larry Davis
|TKO
|10 (12)
|09/09/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Madison Square Garden]], New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|40
|{{no2}}Loss
|32–6–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Eric Winbush
|TKO
|3 (12)
|23/03/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[The Claridge Hotel (Atlantic City)|Claridge Hotel & Casino]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|39
|{{no2}}Loss
|32–5–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]]
|TKO
|6 (15)
|07/08/1982
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|For WBC and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–4–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Pete McIntyre
|TKO
|2 (10)
|17/04/1982
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Harrah's Atlantic City|Harrah's]] Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|37
|{{no2}}Loss
|31–4–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]]
|TKO
|10 (15)
|19/12/1981
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Trump World's Fair|Playboy Hotel & Casino]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost WBC and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jerry Martin
|TKO
|11 (15)
|26/09/1981
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Atlantic Club Casino Hotel|Golden Nugget Casino]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Murray Sutherland]]
|KO
|9 (15)
|25/04/1981
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Resorts Casino Hotel]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Vonzell Johnson
|TKO
|11 (15)
|28/02/1981
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Bally's Atlantic City|Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|ZAM}} [[Lottie Mwale]]
|KO
|4 (15)
|28/11/1980
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Pechanga Arena|Sports Arena]], San Diego, California, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Yaqui López]]
|TKO
|14 (15)
|13/07/1980
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Legends Resort & Country Club|Great Gorge Playboy Club]], McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|CMR}} Louis Pergaud
|TKO
|5 (15)
|11/05/1980
|align=left|{{flagicon|CAN}} {{small|[[Scotiabank Centre|Halifax Metro Centre]], Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[John Conteh]]
|TKO
|4 (15)
|29/03/1980
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Resorts Casino Hotel]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and [[list of The Ring world champions#Light heavyweight|''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[John Conteh]]
|UD
|15
|18/08/1979
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Resorts Casino Hotel]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC light heavyweight title}}
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Marvin Johnson (boxer)|Marvin Johnson]]
|TKO
|8 (15)
|22/04/1979
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Market Square Arena]], Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[list of WBC world champions#Light heavyweight|WBC light heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Yaqui López]]
|TKO
|11 (12)
|24/10/1978
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained [[North American Boxing Federation|NABF]] Light Heavyweight Title}}
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Fred Bright
|TKO
|8 (12)
|16/08/1978
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Branch Brook Ice Rink, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Dale Grant
|TKO
|5 (12)
|19/06/1978
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Richie Kates
|TKO
|6 (12)
|10/02/1978
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained [[North American Boxing Federation|NABF]] Light Heavyweight Title}}
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Dave Lee Royster
|UD
|10
|01/11/1977
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[William Douglas (boxer)|Billy Douglas]]
|TKO
|6 (12)
|17/09/1977
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|'''[[North American Boxing Federation|NABF]] Light Heavyweight Title'''.}}
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Marvin Johnson (boxer)|Marvin Johnson]]
|TKO
|12 (12)
|26/07/1977
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[North American Boxing Federation|NABF]] Light Heavyweight Title}}
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Ed Turner
|KO
|6 (10)
|23/06/1977
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[2300 Arena|Arena]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Joe Maye
|PTS
|10
|21/04/1977
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Fournier Hall, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|18
|{{no2}}Loss
|13–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Mustafa Muhammad]]
|SD
|10
|11/03/1977
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[2300 Arena|Arena]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|17
|{{draw}}Draw
|13–2–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Mate Parlov]]
|PTS
|10
|03/12/1976
|align=left|{{flagicon|ITA}} {{small|Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy}}
|align=left|
|-
|16
|{{no2}}Loss
|13–2–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Marvin Camel]]
|MD
|10
|23/10/1976
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Dahlberg Arena|Adams Field House]], Missoula, Montana, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–1–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Bobby Walker
|TKO
|4 (10)
|15/09/1976
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–1–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Marvin Camel]]
|SD
|10
|17/07/1976
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Stockton, California, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–1–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Mate Parlov]]
|PTS
|8
|21/05/1976
|align=left|{{flagicon|ITA}} {{small|[[Palasport di San Siro]], Milan, Lombardia, Italy}}
|align=left|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–1–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Harold Carter
|PTS
|10
|13/02/1976
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Painters Mill Theatre, Owings Mills, Maryland, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|11
|{{draw}}Draw
|9–1–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Wayne McGee
|PTS
|6
|21/10/1975
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Roosevelt Brown
|TKO
|4 (10)
|24/07/1975
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Vandell Woods
|KO
|6 (10)
|25/02/1975
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[The Blue Horizon]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|8
|{{no2}}Loss
|7–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Wayne McGee
|PTS
|6
|10/12/1974
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[The Blue Horizon]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Joe Middleton
|TKO
|2 (10)
|22/10/1974
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Roller Rink, Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Lloyd Richardson
|TKO
|4 (10)
|10/09/1974
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Joe Jones
|KO
|3 (10)
|15/07/1974
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Joe Middleton
|KO
|5 (10)
|22/05/1974
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Roy Ingram
|PTS
|4
|11/03/1974
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Mukeba Apolosa
|PTS
|4
|25/02/1974
|align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} {{small|[[Dôme de Paris|Palais des Sports]], Paris, France}}
|align=left|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Early
|TKO
|2 (4)
|14/01/1974
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|}

==See also==
*[[List of world light-heavyweight boxing champions]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Boxrec|id=8618}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}
|-
{{s-vac|last=Lonnie Bennett}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of NABF champions#Light heavyweight|NABF light heavyweight champion]]
|years=July 26, 1977 – 1979<br>Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=Jerry Martin}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Marvin Johnson (boxer)|Marvin Johnson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBC world champions#Light heavyweight|WBC light heavyweight champion]]
|years=April 22, 1979 - December 19, 1981}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]]}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Bob Foster (boxer)|Bob Foster]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of The Ring world champions#Light heavyweight|''The Ring'' light heavyweight champion]]
|years=November 30, 1979 - December 19, 1981}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-before|before=Danny Lopez vs.<br>Mike Ayala}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Fight of the Year#1980s|''The Ring'' magazine Fight of the Year]]<br>{{small|vs. Yaqui López}}
|years=1980}}
{{s-after|after=[[Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns|Sugar Ray Leonard vs.<br>Thomas Hearns]]}}
{{s-before|before=[[Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks|Muhammad Ali vs.<br>Leon Spinks]]<br>{{small|Round 15}}}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Round of the Year#1970s|''The Ring'' magazine Round of the Year]]<br>{{small|vs. Marvin Johnson}}<br>{{small|Round 8}}
|years=1979}}
{{s-after|after=Himself vs.<br>Yaqui López<br>{{small|Round 8}}}}
{{s-before|before=Himself vs.<br>Marvin Johnson<br>{{small|Round 8}}}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Round of the Year#1980s|''The Ring'' magazine Round of the Year]]<br>{{small|vs. Yaqui López}}<br>{{small|Round 8}}
|years=1980}}
{{s-after|after=William Lee vs.<br>John LoCicero<br>{{small|Round 5}}}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muhammad, Matthew Saad}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:African-American boxers]]
[[Category:Boxers from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Converts to Islam from Christianity]]
[[Category:African-American Muslims]]
[[Category:African-American former Christians]]
[[Category:African American adoptees]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:American adoptees]]
[[Category:Sportspeople with visual impairment]]
[[Category:Deaths from motor neuron disease in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Burials at Ivy Hill Cemetery (Philadelphia)]]
[[Category:International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:World light-heavyweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:World Boxing Council champions]]
[[Category:The Ring (magazine) champions]]
[[Category:American blind people]]
[[Category:Muslims from Pennsylvania]]