Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks Who We’ve Lost In 2025

Source: Reach Media / Urban One

As we’ve come to understand year after year, day after day, even death is unfortunately an inevitable part of life. Still, as much of a fact as that may be, the blow of experiencing loss never gets any easier, nor does reporting on the subject in Black culture.

UPDATED: 6:30 am EST July 28th 2025

Dwight Muhammad Qawi, a Hall of Fame boxer known as “The Camden Buzzsaw,” passed away on Friday at the age of 72 after a five-year battle with dementia, his sister Wanda King confirmed.

Born Dwight Braxton in Baltimore, Qawi grew up in Camden, New Jersey. His journey to boxing greatness began in an unlikely place, Rahway State Prison, where he discovered the sport while serving time for armed robbery. Upon his release in 1978, he turned professional at the age of 25.

Qawi’s career was marked by grit and determination. In December 1981, he claimed the WBC light heavyweight title by defeating Matthew Saad Muhammad in a 10th-round stoppage. He solidified his dominance by defeating Saad again eight months later. After a loss to Michael Spinks in 1983, Qawi moved up to cruiserweight, capturing the WBA title in 1985 by defeating Piet Crous. His epic 15-round battle with Evander Holyfield in 1986 remains a classic.

Standing just 5-foot-7, Qawi later competed as a heavyweight, facing legends like George Foreman. He retired in 1998 with a record of 41-11-1, including 25 knockouts, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

Post-retirement, Qawi dedicated himself to training, youth advocacy, and counseling, leaving a lasting legacy both in and out of the ring.

Learn more below about who in our culture has passed away so far in 2025 below:

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