Hall of Fame Professional Boxer. He was the former WBC Light-Heavyweight Champion from 1979 to 1981. Born Maxwell Antonio Loach, his mother died when he was a child. Other family members abandoned him on Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway due to financial difficulties. He was found by the police who placed him in the care of nuns and as a result, he was named Matthew Franklin (the later name was for the roadway where he was found). He would bind up his adversities he endured and place his energies and focus on the boxing ring. In 1974, he turned professional but his road to the championship would not be an easy one. He suffered his first defeat in his eighth fight and lost twice more which included a ten-round unanimous decision to Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. His fortunes changed when he scored a 12-round technical knockout over Marvin Johnson for the North American Boxing Federation crown at Philadelphia's Spectrum in July of 1977. In April of 1979, he fought Johnson in a rematch, this time for the World Boxing Council title. In spite of suffering from cuts over both eyes, he knocked out Johnson during the 8th-round. The round was named "Round of the Year" by Ring Magazine. In 1979, he converted to the Muslim faith and changed his name to Matthew Saad Muhammad. He was successful in eight title defense bouts which included a 14-round knockout over Mexican contender Alvaro "Yaqui' Lopes in July of 1980. The contest was named "Fight of the Year" by Ring Magazine. He would finally relinquish the title to Dwight Muhammad Qawi in December of 1981. Saad Muhammad continued his boxing career for another eleven years, before retiring with a 39 win (29 knockouts), 16 loss and 3 drawn record. He went on to become a spokesperson and advocate for Philadelphia's homeless. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998.
Hall of Fame Professional Boxer. He was the former WBC Light-Heavyweight Champion from 1979 to 1981. Born Maxwell Antonio Loach, his mother died when he was a child. Other family members abandoned him on Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway due to financial difficulties. He was found by the police who placed him in the care of nuns and as a result, he was named Matthew Franklin (the later name was for the roadway where he was found). He would bind up his adversities he endured and place his energies and focus on the boxing ring. In 1974, he turned professional but his road to the championship would not be an easy one. He suffered his first defeat in his eighth fight and lost twice more which included a ten-round unanimous decision to Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. His fortunes changed when he scored a 12-round technical knockout over Marvin Johnson for the North American Boxing Federation crown at Philadelphia's Spectrum in July of 1977. In April of 1979, he fought Johnson in a rematch, this time for the World Boxing Council title. In spite of suffering from cuts over both eyes, he knocked out Johnson during the 8th-round. The round was named "Round of the Year" by Ring Magazine. In 1979, he converted to the Muslim faith and changed his name to Matthew Saad Muhammad. He was successful in eight title defense bouts which included a 14-round knockout over Mexican contender Alvaro "Yaqui' Lopes in July of 1980. The contest was named "Fight of the Year" by Ring Magazine. He would finally relinquish the title to Dwight Muhammad Qawi in December of 1981. Saad Muhammad continued his boxing career for another eleven years, before retiring with a 39 win (29 knockouts), 16 loss and 3 drawn record. He went on to become a spokesperson and advocate for Philadelphia's homeless. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998.
Bio by: C.S.
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