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**SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2023** Matthew Saad Muhammad was arguably the most exciting fighter of all time. He was WBC light-heavyweight champion from 1979 to 1981, but it wasn't what he did that captured the hearts of fight fans, it was how he did it. Fight after fight was war after war. He would get beaten up, cut, dropped and virtually knocked out only to astonishingly rally and score come-from-behind victories. But through it all there was a shocking backstory. Abandoned by his birth parents aged just four, Matthew was raised in a Catholic orphanage and then adopted by a Portuguese family. He fell into a life of gangs and prison before boxing provided an escape, becoming a vehicle for him to find his real who was he, and who were his parents? His rise to stardom was followed by a long, sad decline as he travelled the world trying to reclaim his former glories. He spent his final years in a Philadelphia homeless shelter, plagued by health issues. This is the definitive account of Matthew's incredible but heart-rending story.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published October 11, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 18, 2022
The story of Matthew Saad Muhammad, a former boxing champion with some of the most brutal bouts in the history of the sport, is quite fascinating. This is true whether one is interested in his childhood and rise to stardom, his boxing career with many high points and the inevitable decline or his story after that career is over. Each part of his life is covered in great detail in this book by Tris Dixon.
Saad Muhammad was born as Maxwell Loach and he was sent to be raised by his aunt when his mother died while he was an infant. Then the aunt ordered Maxwell’s brother to get rid of him. He was eventually raised in an orphanage where he was given the name Matthew Franklin. That story alone would be worth the price of the book had Dixon decided to just write about that, but fortunately for the reader, he went well beyond that.
For books on boxers, while I enjoy their personal stories, I prefer to read the pages on their boxing careers, from when they start out with the four-round bouts up to their rise to contender or champion and even their eventual downfall (unless the name is Rocky Marciano). Here is where this book shines. Dixon does a masterful job of researching and writing about Matthew’s rise in the ranks and eventual light heavyweight championship. The descriptions of his first bout in 1978 with Yaqui Lopez (an 11th round knockout) and the bout with Marvin Johnson in 1979 where Matthew won the title are just as good in this book as if the reader is following along while watching those bouts on any classic sports streaming service or YouTube.
Like in the book, this review uses “Matthew” often when referring to the subject of the book as he changed his name to Matthew Saad Muhammad after winning the title and converting to Islam. It is noteworthy to do so as that made it easier while reading the book, not having to concern oneself as to what time frame Dixon is referring to in the description.
Lastly, Matthew’s life after boxing is covered in very good detail as well. As often happens to boxers once they no longer are considered invincible, their personal life takes a decline as well – in Matthew’s case, it went all the way to becoming homeless for awhile. He eventually was able to make his final years meaningful with his campaigns for homelessness awareness. This, too, is covered in very good detail by Dixon.
Boxing fans who recall the exciting and hard hitting bouts of Matthew will want to read this one – every exciting fight for the man many considered to be the toughest fighter at any weight class in that era will be excited to relive some of those great fights. Anything that a reader wants to find out about him will be found in this book.
I wish to thank Pitch Publishing for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Saad Muhammad was born as Maxwell Loach and he was sent to be raised by his aunt when his mother died while he was an infant. Then the aunt ordered Maxwell’s brother to get rid of him. He was eventually raised in an orphanage where he was given the name Matthew Franklin. That story alone would be worth the price of the book had Dixon decided to just write about that, but fortunately for the reader, he went well beyond that.
For books on boxers, while I enjoy their personal stories, I prefer to read the pages on their boxing careers, from when they start out with the four-round bouts up to their rise to contender or champion and even their eventual downfall (unless the name is Rocky Marciano). Here is where this book shines. Dixon does a masterful job of researching and writing about Matthew’s rise in the ranks and eventual light heavyweight championship. The descriptions of his first bout in 1978 with Yaqui Lopez (an 11th round knockout) and the bout with Marvin Johnson in 1979 where Matthew won the title are just as good in this book as if the reader is following along while watching those bouts on any classic sports streaming service or YouTube.
Like in the book, this review uses “Matthew” often when referring to the subject of the book as he changed his name to Matthew Saad Muhammad after winning the title and converting to Islam. It is noteworthy to do so as that made it easier while reading the book, not having to concern oneself as to what time frame Dixon is referring to in the description.
Lastly, Matthew’s life after boxing is covered in very good detail as well. As often happens to boxers once they no longer are considered invincible, their personal life takes a decline as well – in Matthew’s case, it went all the way to becoming homeless for awhile. He eventually was able to make his final years meaningful with his campaigns for homelessness awareness. This, too, is covered in very good detail by Dixon.
Boxing fans who recall the exciting and hard hitting bouts of Matthew will want to read this one – every exciting fight for the man many considered to be the toughest fighter at any weight class in that era will be excited to relive some of those great fights. Anything that a reader wants to find out about him will be found in this book.
I wish to thank Pitch Publishing for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
June 3, 2025
My friends, there was nothing like a Saad Muhammad fight. And there was nothing like his story -- abandoned at 5, raised by nuns and in a foster home, sent to a juvenile corrections facility, only to get out and against all odds become the light heavyweight champion of the world.
In his prime, Saad had the better part of a 15 fight winning streak in a division filled with crushers. He won the title in Marvin Johnson's hometown in 1979, cut on both eyes, and behind on the scorecards. He would then defend that title 8 times in a little more than in 2 years. Most of his defenses followed a pattern -- Saad would fall behind, get cut, battered, and then he would rally to win. His third defense of the title against Lopez produced both the fight of the year and the round of the year.
But, my friends, this is boxing. There are few happy endings in boxing, and the last 1/3rd of the book covers the sad final three decades of his post championship career. The millions of dollars earned were all gone. The "friends" he had at the top were all gone. The religion which supposedly supported him, left him abandoned.
And ultimately, this is what this story was about. Maxwell Antonio Loach was abandoned at 5 by his own family on the Ben Franklin Parkway in PA. And when it all ended, he was abandoned by most of his friends. Boxing is an often lonely and sad sport, filled with individuals that have aspiration hoping to punch their way into a better life. Matthew accomplished that and still lost it all. The author, Tris Dixon, made this story alive once again.
In his prime, Saad had the better part of a 15 fight winning streak in a division filled with crushers. He won the title in Marvin Johnson's hometown in 1979, cut on both eyes, and behind on the scorecards. He would then defend that title 8 times in a little more than in 2 years. Most of his defenses followed a pattern -- Saad would fall behind, get cut, battered, and then he would rally to win. His third defense of the title against Lopez produced both the fight of the year and the round of the year.
But, my friends, this is boxing. There are few happy endings in boxing, and the last 1/3rd of the book covers the sad final three decades of his post championship career. The millions of dollars earned were all gone. The "friends" he had at the top were all gone. The religion which supposedly supported him, left him abandoned.
And ultimately, this is what this story was about. Maxwell Antonio Loach was abandoned at 5 by his own family on the Ben Franklin Parkway in PA. And when it all ended, he was abandoned by most of his friends. Boxing is an often lonely and sad sport, filled with individuals that have aspiration hoping to punch their way into a better life. Matthew accomplished that and still lost it all. The author, Tris Dixon, made this story alive once again.
December 8, 2022
This is now my favorite boxing biography, and in my opinion the best sports biography of 2022.
When it comes to the boxing, Dixon does a magnificent job getting in-depth on Saad Muhammad's most notable fights. Saad Muhammad the boxer was definitely a warrior, had the heart of a champion, unbelievable courage, and was unquestionably a miracle man. Dixon brings this out as well as any boxing writer can do.
What I really appreciate is that Dixon doesn't let these superlatives about Matthew's career blind the reader to the fact that Matthew's life turned out to be tragic. Matthew's choices in how he applied his craft came at heavy cost to his health. Sadly, the circumstances of his childhood, no fault at all of his own, probably set the stage for the exploitation that occurred in his career once he became famous and wealthy. Again, Dixon does a superb job telling this part of the story.
I found this to be a cautionary tale. Because of his never-say-die approach to boxing and his work late in life trying to help the homeless (something Matthew endured after the money disappeared), other readers may find this to be inspirational. That's the beauty of this book--there's room for both.
Highest recommendation.
When it comes to the boxing, Dixon does a magnificent job getting in-depth on Saad Muhammad's most notable fights. Saad Muhammad the boxer was definitely a warrior, had the heart of a champion, unbelievable courage, and was unquestionably a miracle man. Dixon brings this out as well as any boxing writer can do.
What I really appreciate is that Dixon doesn't let these superlatives about Matthew's career blind the reader to the fact that Matthew's life turned out to be tragic. Matthew's choices in how he applied his craft came at heavy cost to his health. Sadly, the circumstances of his childhood, no fault at all of his own, probably set the stage for the exploitation that occurred in his career once he became famous and wealthy. Again, Dixon does a superb job telling this part of the story.
I found this to be a cautionary tale. Because of his never-say-die approach to boxing and his work late in life trying to help the homeless (something Matthew endured after the money disappeared), other readers may find this to be inspirational. That's the beauty of this book--there's room for both.
Highest recommendation.
June 29, 2023
I've been a fan of boxing for about 10 years and have read and enjoyed a few boxing biographies but this is easily the best of them. In terms of boxing history, I knew about the Ali era heavyweights and the Four Kings but that was about it. I'm aware of Tris Dixon's writing from Boxing News so I thought it'd be worth giving this a go.
I'm really glad I did because this is an incredible story. His life before and after boxing is just as interesting as his career at the top.
I found myself really getting into the descriptions of the fights. They're written in such an exciting way, I found myself sitting there rooting for Matthew to pull through and get the win even though most of them happened before I was born.
There were loads of really interesting side stories as well like James Scott, who had high level televised fights while he was in jail, or Muhammad Ali Professional Sports Inc- a company that makes MTK look legit in comparison.
I absolutely flew through this book. Highly recommend it to any sports fan.
I'm really glad I did because this is an incredible story. His life before and after boxing is just as interesting as his career at the top.
I found myself really getting into the descriptions of the fights. They're written in such an exciting way, I found myself sitting there rooting for Matthew to pull through and get the win even though most of them happened before I was born.
There were loads of really interesting side stories as well like James Scott, who had high level televised fights while he was in jail, or Muhammad Ali Professional Sports Inc- a company that makes MTK look legit in comparison.
I absolutely flew through this book. Highly recommend it to any sports fan.
November 9, 2022
Brilliant story brilliantly written.
June 17, 2023
As good as a sporting biography can get, really. Brilliant story and subject matter, done every inch of justice with brilliant writing, research, presentation and a lovely personal touch.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews