When Some Light-heavyweights Wanted to be Named Muhammad

[elmersalsa]

There was a time in the late 70s and early 80s decade that some fighters, especially at 175lbs, wanted to be named by their Muslim names.

Was that a fad? Or
Did Muhammad Ali had something to do with it as inspiration?
Or
They just simply wanted to be Muslims?

[jaouad]

All three of them (Mathew Saad, Eddie Mustafa and Qawi) looked up to Muhammad Ali and i’m sure after their conversion they choose the name Muhammad partially because of Ali. Both Mathew Saad Muhammad and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad used to be sparring partners of Ali during his Spinks 2 camp.

[elmersalsa]

All three of them (Mathew Saad, Eddie Mustafa and Qawi) looked up to Muhammad Ali and i’m sure after their conversion they choose the name Muhammad partially because of Ali. Both Mathew Saad Muhammad and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad used to be sparring partners of Ali during his Spinks 2 camp.

I could see why. I remember correctly that at first, Matthew Saad Muhammad's name was Matthew Franklin. But, in reality, that wasn't his real name. A nun found him alone in the streets of Philadelphia and named him Matthew and the surname Franklin came from a street of the same name.

Eddie Mustapha Muhammad was named Eddie Gregory when I first saw him fight.

And Dwight Muhammad Qawi was named Dwight Braxton of what I remember.