Matthew Saad Muhammad Documentary - The Most Exciting Fighter of the late 1970s/early 1980s
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- *Please note, I had to trim out the clip of the second Lopez bout*
A look back at the career of Matthew Saad Muhammad who rose from being abandoned as a youth to the light heavyweight championship of the world.
This poor man is the definition of “leaving it all in the ring”. Boxing made him,and boxing destroyed him. A warrior like him deserved to be celebrated while he was still alive. Thank you for paying tribute to him.
Its so true ,what you say here,,,Life is so cruel to some people,abandoned as a child,,same again as an adult,even when you make it to the top,his story digs deep to all of us commenting here,,,little Matthew just wanted to be loved and wanted,,,.that's all..R.I.P.
A truly great champion. One of my favourite ever fighters.
Man, this is how America treats so many of our best athletes. Mostly people who competed a long time ago and or minorities. Gene Hickerson had terrible dementia when I was finally inducted to the hall of Fame despite being an all time great who blocked for 3 hall of Fame running backs for Cleveland. Look at where Joe Frazier and Joe Lewis were when they passed away. Joe is one my all time favorites of any sport. So obviously a good human being
his style is what made him famous and loved yet it destroys him too,looking at how much he declined after enduring such comebacks,perhaps nowadays's more boring style is more reasonable.
This story had me in tears. My favorite Philly fighter and one of my all time favorites. I met Saad yrs later. Was in a young fighters corner holding a spit bucket. Afterward we spoke for a bit. Huge hands gave him part of that power. Reminiscing on his old fights bought him alive with that big smile. He cracked up when we talked about his venture into Shoot wrestling. He said “ Man I had to get outta there. They were trying to kill me”. Then bust out laughing. Although speech was a lil slow he was so, so gracious. Asked if I knew any car dealerships that could use a “former world champion” as for advertisement. Made me realize how far he had fallen. But that’s a time I’ll always cherish.
Great share, thank you.
Amazing story
Beautiful story sir. He was one of, (if not) the best of that era.
I agree,I remember Saad Muhammad.He had that great side and slide right hand like Ali.There are just some athlete's entertainers that are a joy to watch. And he was for sure,I don't care how his life ended up,he was bad.How did M Jackson life end up,enough said.
We all need money , as long as his spirit was high
My favorites fighters are Matthew Saad Muhammad and Marvelous Mavin Hagler...
Both life time stories on the big screen are long overdue!!!!
Big time...
Marvelous; My favorite.
Your final words are so true. Saad had such a rough life. Abandoned as a child, reaching the limits in boxing, abandoned as an adult. In all the interviews that I have of him he seems like a great guy who only wanted to be loved. I often wondered what happened to his beauty queen wife. Money ran out and then she did. I live in Harrisburg a 2 hour drive from Philly. Had I known the peril he was in I would have literally driven there and given him any money I could afford. Its the least I could do for this man and one of my heroes.
Amen.
thats the humanity of it ,i feel it myself and wish i could of helped
I'll second that. R.I.P. to one of the greatest light-heavyweights who ever lived.
When I was a kid growing up, Matthew was a modern day super hero. Thanks for this one Rich
My pleasure, Lyman.
Yes he was the way he survived the hammering fists of Marvin Johnson that was incredible his face like fausets with blood coming out as he raised his hands in victory then who could forget the way Yaqui Lopez blasted him on the ropes in the second fight that was remarkable most men would have crumbled out but his recovery powers were incredible!
I watched so many of Saad's fights and remember him as a true warrior. As tragic as his story is, he did beat the odds and was a fine champion. RIP Champ.
🌞👍Amen ,he was inspiring through it all which shows his will power and heart. God bless him🛐
He was just before my time. When I met him he was Matthew Franklin. The times I was around him he was very respectful. That’s all I remember
Course you were .
Pedro: In your opinion, who was the better fighter: Belfiore-trained Matt Franklin or Solomon-trained Matthew Saad Muhammad?
@@Gregsmith1 I cant opine on that Greg.
He was legendary, and when I saw him after it was over, Matthew was nothing but class.
Sharing that thank you for sharing that
Very good fighter with a heart of a Lion but at the same time a very sad story. When you think you got it hard there's someone who always has a life harder than yours and you got to count your blessings.
A tribute to a champion of life, it's brutality and bitterness dealt to someone who didn't deserve it. Tragic story of a champion who only wanted to be loved and wanted. Anyone else in his situation would never ever gotten as far as Saad did. A great and well deserved tribute to this great man
I remember watching his title fights on tv, ahhh the good old days. He was a warrior in the ring .
heartbreaking life story. the pictures of him late in life always have him smiling and laughing. He must have found something through all that tragedy. May he rest in peace.
What an incredible fighter and class act. His final years hurt my heart whenever I think of them. RIP champ. Your legacy will live on forever.
I got to know him towards the end of his life. Great guy! He is sorely missed!
His story is so incredibly sad and at the same time so inspiring. Miracle Matt was a force of nature. He would be in war after war with any number of hall of fame level fighters. It was just insane. There are few in boxing with the universal respect and admiration afforded Miracle Matt. What a ferocious fighter he was. Super nice guy with never an unkind word. RIP. Another fantastic Doc Rich!🥊🙏👍
Thanks, Baja. Couldn't agree with you more on Saad.
Great post. I agree completely. Like many others I always wondered what would have happened if he fought Michael Spinks. I think upon retrospect the age may have been his downfall in such a fight. But despite the praise Spinks gets, and honestly deserves, I think a prime Saad beats him, simply be because Saad was so active and determined he would have outworked Michael when the fight got into the later rounds, as no one dug deeper than Saad. No one. Alas, we'll never know.
This is why I don't have any problem with today's fighters marketing themselves on Instagram etc. They have to look out for themselves because life after boxing often doesn't.
RIP, champ
Absolutely 💯
Great job Rich! Someone needs to make a movie about his life story! It would basically be three movies in one! His childhood years, his boxing years, and his retirement years.👊
Thanks, Monty. Hollywood talked about it but never did it. Hopefully, it happens one day.
@@RichtheFightHistorian mybe Mark Walberg will take a chance 👍
A heartbreaking story but at least he reached the top of the world after being left abandoned. I do rank him as an all time great. Some don’t but for me there is no doubt. Thanks Rich, a very well made documentary of a true champion from the 175 divisions top era. The only boxing media I pay attention to is this channel and Boxing News magazine which comes through my Mail every Thursday. Both the best in the business. Thanks.
Thanks Rich .You give credit to all those fighters ,and do it in a great manner.
Some one ought to give the same to you. It's simply a pleasure to watch every documentary of you.are pleasure to warch
😢
This man is my favourite fighter of all time!!!! Just an amazing warrior in the ring. Pleased the crowd EVERY TIME he fought.... the classic against Johnson at the Spectrum!!!! I would have given anything to had been alive and been there.
This incredibly human being didnt deserve to be left to die forgotten, broke and in obscurity. I will never forget you miracle Matthew.
Well said
Good post. Very, very few fighters in my 50+ years of living showed the heart he had. The harder the fight got, the tougher it got, the deeper he was able to dig and find reserves. The definition of a true champion if there ever was one.
"Dont cry. I'm gonna do it."
Just wow. Incredible. That takes a giant heart to take an extended and horrific beating like that only to respond with a heroic performance for a win. That the quality of a real champion.
Another great video. What a champ he was, I'm glad he'd got inducted to the hall of fame
Mathew Saad Muhammad was a Warrior in the ring. R.I.P. to an underrated LEGEND 🕊🙏🏽
Whew! I never knew who he was until after his career was over. And I never knew much about him.
What a tough life. Always trying to find himself. Always trying to claim his identity.
Always fighting; someone, or something that he couldn't quite see.
He had intense constitution. The WILL of a survivor. Never willing to give up, THE HEART of a TRUE WARRIOR.
R.I.P. May God have GRACE, and MERCY on you, Matthew Saad Franklin
You truly deserve to have, The Spirit Of Adoption.
I HOPE to see in in the Kingdom to COME.
PEACE ETERNAL.
This guy's tapped into a subcategory or niche that I don't see a lot of on YT. If you know people that are really boxing fanatics or strong fans, sure just the channel itself because I can't see how someone who is a huge lover of the sport wouldn't love these gems in my mind at least. Somebody share the channel with me a while back and for the main reason I like it but it's because a lot of these boxers seem like they went off the rails and weren't overly committed to boxing and it has a lot of what if type stories that remind me of the movie raging Bull with DeNiro. Anyways I was just reading your comment and thought I would leave a long freaking reply. Just kidding sorry it's so long though
@@purposelyperplexed4240
I'm purposely transformed. I wasn't always the man of integrity that I'm striving to become. I really couldn't care less at one time. I've always been a fighter, both boxing and mostly Karate, and Kickboxing. I'm 54 now. My body is not in good shape anymore. Lived too fast, too hard, worked and played the same. The reason why I am so critical of Vince Foster is because he was in a position of example to others, and also he used the Holy Bible and God's Inerrant, infallible WORD for seducing people, lining his pockets and fooling people into thinking he was someone who he wasn't. THAT'S the very thing that makes people mock the Faith of Jesus Christ. It's extreme heretical blasphemy and the type of sin that is unforgivable, unpardonable.
I have been SAVED, from hurts, habits and hangups that left me a torn and tattered lost soul. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
Grace rained down on me and a new person grew from God's Grace, and I am still growing by His mercy, TRUTH and Love.
Capiche? 😉😊😁😇🙏☝✝✝✝🛐
Yes I remember watching several of his fights during his time. He was at one time one of the most exciting fighters in Boxing. A Man who was abandoned on the street and rose to the top of the Boxing World then eventually fell back down to the streets. The people around him left when the money started to disappear. Such a sad ending to his story. RIP Matthew
Easily one of the saddest stories visited by this channel and that's saying a lot given how common sad ends to hard lives are in these videos, superb documentary and does justice to the man himself.
Such sad end for a true fighter in and out the ring. R.I.P. Champ
Never really heard of him before,apart from him beating John conteh,such a shame and what a terrific
Boxer he was.he should never be forgotten,thanks rich for educating me once again.Dave.🇬🇧
My pleasure, Dave. He was one of the most exciting ever.
Well said
Rich, massive thanks again. Matt Franklin/Matthew Saad Muhammad was one of the most courageous fighters of his or anyones era. I was gutted when he beat Liverpool’s John Conteh. I remember it well. Respect from Liverpool England 🏴. YNWA 🙏
Sure thing, Stuart.
You'll always be remembered Matthew,,you're part of World Boxing History,,you're World Class Boxing Champion, forever ...R.I.P.
One of my favorite fighters of all time. Back when great fights and fighters were on national TV. Never out of a fight. Heart of a Lion...
One of the ultimate Philly tough guys..No fighter deserves more to have his life story made into a movie than Matthew Saad Muhammad. It would be an epic full of glory, drama and tragedy.
My father and I sat ringside for a comeback fight he had, I believe in '91 in Fort Lauderdale. I forget the opponent's name , but Matthew took him out quickly with some fast powerful punches. As he came down the steps after the fight I was standing right there, and congratulated him on his comeback .He stopped, looked me in the eye , shook my hand and said thank you! That showed some class! He was my favorite light heavyweight, having boxed in the late 70s.. at middle weight I admired the man ! He was something else back then... RIP!
Sad beginning and ending for Matthew...As a teen I saw most of his fights on WABC in the late 70s to early 80s and he took plenty of damage getting those wins...
Very sad story, I was almost crying... :( . A real champion, a good man enclosed by wrong people since his childhood. Boxe has been everything for him and I hope that at least you could have enojoyed his life when he was in his prime. R.I.P., you'll be remember forever.
What a tough man during a decade full of excellent boxers a true champion. It is a shame that Bob Foster wasnt 10 years younger so many interesting matches to be had. Once again thank you Rich for a most engaging docu first class as usual.
Thanks for the watch, Lester.
Another great and yet sad video brother. Your work is the best.
My pleasure, nyquil, thank you.
Matthew was one of the most exciting and heroic fighters who ever lived. I remember watching his fights as a kid with my father. My father was in awe and astounded ! He thought Matthew a meta- human ! Matthew showed the metaphysical possibilities in human beings. My father passed away years ago,but I still remember his happiness and joy and disbelief with Matthew's fights. True magic. Rest in peace and God bless, Matthew.
So many opponents this guy fought deserve their own documentaries: Marvin Johnson, Dwight Braxton, Marvin Camel, Yaqui Lopez....
Yep there was a lot of good light heavy weights in that era no doubt
Mate Parlov too.
You do an outstanding job covering this fighters Rich
Thanks so much, John.
I trained with Saad and knew him since he was Matthew Franklin and over the years I saw the leaches destroy the man . He was a really nice guy. Sad ending to his life.
One of the most hardest hitting guys to ever step in the ring, with my own eyes and I’ve met and seen a whole lot. RIP brother Matthew Saad Muhammad.
Maybe not the hardest but certainly the bravest
@@michaelcannon5789 once again, one of the hardest .
@@michaelcannon5789 no he was voted into the 100 punches of all time so yes he was one of the hardest
He was one of boxings greatest warriors a great champion with iron will raw determination and an enormous heart he was truly special to watch in that ring !!
Thanks so much for making this Rich. An incredible story to tell about an incredible champion. I remember him, not only for his heroic efforts in the ring, but his life.
My pleasure, Phil.
@@RichtheFightHistorian I grew up watching boxing. A white boy in a mostly white town, inspired by Muhammad Ali. :-) I remember so many of the fighters you are making these documentaries about. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, passion. It's a gift.
Great stuff. Regarding the Lopez rematch, after the 8th round, I was convinced Saad was going to lose his tiltle. I didn't want to see it happen, so I left the house, and went down to the local park to play basketball. My father stayed home. When I returned a few hours later, my father informed me that Saad won in the 14th. I couldn't believe it.
Fast forward to 2005. I took my own son to a banquet in Youngstown, Ohio. Saad was the featured guest. About as amiable, friendly, and humble a person as you might encounter anywhere. He had been on hard times for quite a while, but you'd never know it by his demeanor.
Saad was special.
Great that you had the pleasure of meeting him, thanks for sharing.
That 8th round was the greatest round two men ever fought in boxing. The whole fight was great but the 8th was something we'll never see again.
I used to love watching this guy on Saturday afternoon television when I was a kid. He'd be losing every fight and then K.O. the opponent. I remember watching the fights and thinking okay Saad Muhammad when are you going to turn this around.
He definitely was one of the most bombastic and exciting fighters to ever grace the ring. Never a dull fight!
Matthew Saad Muhammed was one of my favorite fighters. If he was fighting you could be guaranteed that you would see action. Wonderful fighter and I feel he is vastly underrated.
Greatest fight I ever saw ( and I have seen virtually all the last 50 years) was Matthew and Yaqui Lopez. Believe me, it was life and death for both.
That combination that floored Lottie Mwale is the most picture perfect, flawlessly executed combination I have EVER seen. A thing of absolute beauty! Matthew Saad Muhammad was always a favorite of mine and you did an impeccable job of telling his amazing story. Thank you Rich!
My pleasure, Michael. Saad had rare two-fisted power....what an uppercut that was!
I was feeling kinda down today. Then I saw this notification, and I was like, “Ah, it’s all good.” Thanks, Rich!
Sure thing, D.
1 of my All Time Favorites!
RIP Champ🙏🙏🙏
Matthew Saad Muhammad had a heart of a lion. Those wars that he had finally got the best of him.
The struggle of a sad story the life of a great champion
Sad story of his life. Great job as always perfectly narrating his ups and downs. Can't imagine a family member taking a walk with a child and just ditching him? He must have felt that times and million:(
It's bad enough to do that to a dog...But do that to a small defenseless kid?
@@mr.djcooncoon8196 one of the saddest and meanest things I've ever heard horrible
Met Matthew Saad Muhammad in Santa Monica while he was training. Eddie Mustafo Muhammad trained before him. Both threw hard rights in sparring sessions. He was soft spoken and seemed like a nice guy. I saw him after he had a few wars in the ring. I was amazed how perfect his face looked. He must have had great recuperative power.
I watched a documentary about him few yrs ago.He was & is a warrior.
Rest in peace Mr Mathew Saad Muhammad .
Your videos are must watch!
Thanks, hope you like this one.
It's not about where we come from in life or the money we earn, it's about the things we do with the hand we're dealt. That is the true Miracle of the one Saad Muhammad
One of my all-time favorite fighters. Had amazing heart and courage. A great champion who overcame so many obstacles. He will be missed but never forgotten. RIP Matthew 🙏🏽
My favourite light heavy. Awesome yet sad story.
Thank you Sir
Ooooh, nice to see a glimpse of a former Yugoslavia's boxing 🥊 champ Mate Parlov, a country fellow mate, in this documentary
Mathew Saad was a classic Philadelphia Fighter.
They keep coming and if you don't back em up then Man down and sometimes out.
Gone but not forgotten!!
Rest Easy Bruh Mathew your legacy is preserved for your seed(s).
🗣♊️👤
Have said it before and will continue to say it, Rich you are the absolute best at what you do. Love the recent tear on 70s/80s light heavies. Would LOVE to see one on Pops Johnson
Thanks so much, Blue Lives Matter71. Pops Johnson is in the works, maybe another month or two.
Rich does an outstanding job!
I appreciate that, Don, thanks.
Fantastic Documentary. One of my favorites.
I love your work Rich❤❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🥊🥊🦉
I appreciate that, mikhunter2
matthew always had my heart & love with life and his boxing career.
Best childhood memories of boxing are with Matthew Franklin/Saad M. He was a true ‘Rocky’. He’d give and take and get punished for 6-8 rounds and then turn on the pain. He was an inspiration.
Sad that they didn’t tell us about the pain and controversy he had gone through. They merely sold his smile, charm and prowess.
From the interviews, he seemed like a very chill and kind dude.
Wow, this guy was an animal. Thanks for the awesome video.
My pleasure, Jason.
Great work, fantastic storytelling. I remember watching him being fed to young andrew maynard. Legend like him doesnt deserved that. But what happens to andrew Maynard's career is equally intriguing.
Great job on these videos. I like how you can see a good amount of the fights, its not a rushed documentary.
Thank you, Louie.
Incredible work Rich
One if the toughest fighters of that era.
Thanks, Daniel.
been waiting patiently ever since you told this true great inspiration of a man was on the list SALUTE ive damn near watched all the rest of the channels take a stab at now time to enjoy the best THANK YOU ! for helping SAAD MUHAMMAD R.I.P ( REMEMBERED IN PERFECTION
This was a great documentary, I love this channel. That fight the first and second fight that Matthew had with Johnson was a spectacular fight it reminded me of the hagler hearns fight. Boxing doesn't have fights like that no more it seems like they quick to stop it when it gets that aggressive. Also thank you for the information about this fighter and many other fighters you have in your channel especially the little known ones that are in boxing history 🥊.
My pleasure, space seed, thanks.
@@RichtheFightHistorian 💪🏾🥊🇵🇷
Matthew Saad Muhammad my favorite LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT period he was amazing mind body and soul he could hit hard with both hands good feet he could take a punch and his heart his will to win was unreal i loved his way RIP CHAMP
Thank you rich , Matthew Saad Muhammad had such heart watching the end when he showed an orphan can make it. I thought he had something in common with babe ruth. What a great documentary very well done as always
Thanks very much, Dan.
He was my favorite fighter when I first started following boxing.
Tickled pink with this one Rich.Love the story of Matthew's life.To me an inspiration born from a hard upbringing.Appreciate your hard work .👍😊🥊🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
Thanks, Darryl.
Philly in the house! Thanks for making this... Mathew Saad Muhammad is legendary. My wife and I ride our bikes where he used to do roadwork. Valley Forge Park was perfect for his tireless style of fighting.
Sure thing, Ron. That Park is a beautiful place.
We even live about two miles from where Steve Traitz lived. My uncle even worked for him in the 70’s. I told you Rich, my heart is a boxing glove.
@@ronofficial5958 Right on, Ron :)
Your presentations never ceases to amaze me. Also,... just how many fighters I wasnt even aware of, and just how incredible alot of these stories about them are. You do an exceptional job of framing them fairly and justly. Just top shelf, professional, and insanely underrated content.
I appreciate the kind words, Aries Experiment, thank you.
What a sad Story, told incredibly well rich, as always...
I watch all your documentaries, and many of them on numerous occasions..
Your channel is pure gold for real boxing fans.
I appreciate that, Alan, thank you.
Tru champ! I remember you big homie and will never forget you. May Allaah bless you and give you a high place in paradise.... Aameen!❤️
M.S.M ...what a true warrior....my gosh he could take a punch he could give a punch and never took a round off.....and to make it after where M.S.M. came from is one of thee absolute most Incredibke true stories of all time....
I watched many of his fights in the 70's and early 80's he was incredible. Typical of our society he was "abandoned". Sad. There needs to be reform.
I keep coming back to this video. This, Quarry, Cuevas, and Haugen. Just great.
Thanks, E D.
Thank you, Rich. Have a nice day, tomorrow!
You too, Risbo.
@@RichtheFightHistorian I love the way you teach us something about the man not just the fighter , very interesting. I have autism and some times I can loose interest in some documenty but not the way you put them together . well done and thanks you for your time and effort .
@@darrelltregear3571 My pleasure, Darrell. Thank you for the support.
His first fight with Qawi is one of my Favourites! 👊🔥👊
One of my top 3 all time favorites and as I am from Harrisburg Pa he was "a local" guy! Most amazing fighter ever IMO
Another winner,Rich.😊
Thanks, David.
I miss those fights and those fighters. Your channel is great. Thanks!
My pleasure, thanks for subbing.
He seemed like a gentle warrior. ❤
The late Miracle Matthew was great in his time and after I watched all of his fights including title fights, I admired him. Hope you make a video about Miracle Matthew's conqueror "The Camden Buzzsaw" Dwight Muhammad Qawi. Anyways, wherever you are RIP Miracle Matthew.
I remember Matthew's 2 losses to Braxton and being horrified at both of his defeats....
I've watched this episode a few times over the year losing count. This truly has to be among your top five of all your current documentary series. Even the anticipated emotional scenes still have an effect and a sort of reflection.
Thanks, Mehdi. He was my favorite fighter when I was a kid.
I named my son after him……Matthew Mercedes…….he was my favorite fighter growing up.
What a warrior !!! Boxers now a day don't even come close to this true warrior
One thing I can say is I am very proud to share the same name as him.
The Arturo gatti of the 80s. What a great story thanks for the upload you did great on it rich
Hey thanks, J V
I think part of what sets your docs apart from others is the fact you use extended footage of fights instead of short ko clips! I greatly appreciate it, especially for fights I've never seen!
Thanks, yeah I try to extend clips of fights that sometimes aren't available on TH-cam.
Great video. Matt Franklin Saad Muhammad along with Bennie Briscoe, Tyrone Everett and Jeff Chandler were my favorite Philadelphia fighters. I was lucky enough see Franklin vs Gregory at the old Philly Arena as well as Johnson, Douglas, Royster, Kates, Grant and Lopez at the Spectrum. I also saw Matt win his title vs Johnson at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis and him defend his title vs Vonzell Johnson in Atlantic City. The first Marvin Johnson fight was without a doubt the best fight I ever witnessed in person. Great memories for this old time fight fan thanks again Rich . Maybe one on Joltin Jeff Chandler down the road?
That's a yes on Joltin' Jeff
Great documentary 👍 Tough life ❤
Thanks, BJH
One hell of a fighter definitely one of the best 175lbs boxers ive seen
When champ was training in San Diego prior to title defense vs Lotte Mwale, gym mate of mine was hired as sparring partner. I asked him what it was like sparring with champ, he says "Benny, I never knew. Couldn't hit him. Defense too good". He went on to KO Lotte, (a formidable top contender) with a vicious left uppercut that knocked his bloody mouthpiece into the 3 row near where Hearns and Ali were seated.
Another great video, Rich! Thank you!