June 23, 2004

Over the years the glamour divisions of boxing have primarily been the welterweight, middleweight and, of course the heavyweight divisions. The most under appreciated division may have been the light heavyweights.

That all changed from the late 1970s through the mid 1980s, thanks to a crop of great 175 pound men. Michael Spinks and three Muhammad's led the way, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Mathew Saad Muhammad and our guest this week on “In This Corner” Eddie Mustfa Muhammad.

He was born Eddie Gregory in 1952 in Brooklyn New York, 28 years later he would capture the light heavyweight championship of the world on March 31, 1980 with a thrilling stoppage of Marvin Johnson in round 11 of a then scheduled 15 rounder. Immediately after winning the title just like another more famous Muhammad, we know so well named Ali; Eddie would convert to Islam and forever be known as Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

Eddie has some great tales about his life and his terrific career as a champion prizefighter that he shares with on this week’s show. Unlike so many other fighters, he has been very successful in business and in life after boxing.

Mustafa now has a new passion an organization called J.A.B. He strongly believes J.A.B. could have a major positive impact for the future of all fighters and the entire sport of boxing and Eddie, although no longer a light heavy, is still very active inside the squared circle a world class boxing trainer.

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad was involved in some tremendous battles as a fighter. How he came out on top in most of those battles, started with a discipline that was formed in him as an amateur and as a young pro taking on any and all challengers.

The light heavyweights of Mustafa Muhammad’s era created some dramatic moments inside the ring, and Eddie played a major role in many of those pugilistic masterpieces. What’s certainly unique about Mustafa Muhammad is unlike 99 percent of all fighters he actually had and made plans for the l.a.b. that’s life after boxing.

Upon retiring from boxing in 1988, Eddie didn’t stray far from the squared circle; in fact, he never really left, becoming a trainer for many champions, but now, at age 52, Eddie has started a new fight. However, this time, he’s fighting for, not against other boxers. He has helped form a boxer’s union called J.A.B, Joint Association of Boxers. They are on a mission to once and for all help the most misguided, abused, used, and forgotten of all professional athletes, the fighters. Eddie vows in order to make J.A.B. successful, just as he did in the ring, he will take on all comers, and take no prisoners when it comes to the future success and well being of fighters.

Being a former world champion, who fought the best of his era, immediately gives Eddie the credibility and the trust of the fighters he trains. He has worked with many top fighters and 6 world champions, including Iran Barkley, Johnny Tapia, and Danny Romero. As a trainer Eddie is a no non-sense type who believes that discipline, hard work and the fine-tuning of skills are what create champions.

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad fought professionally for 16 years. He had some memorable fights and of course won a world light heavyweight championship along the way. He has shown the same determination in making himself a very successful trainer.

His toughest task however lies ahead with his J.A.B. as many organizations set up to help the plight of boxers have come and gone. However, not many have had the sturdy and determined presence of Eddie Mustafa Muhammad in their corner, working to fight their fight on behalf of all boxers.

In This Corner wishes Eddie and J.A.B. tremendous success, and thanks Eddie Mustafa Muhammad for joining us on this week’s show.

This article originally appeared on FightNews.com on June 22, 2004 and was written by James Smith a.k.a. “Smitty.”

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