Inducted on November 11, 1999
Former World Light Heavyweight Champion AKA – Eddie “The Flame” Gregory
Eddie was born on April 30, 1952 in Brooklyn, NY. As a teenager he started boxing as an amateur and in 1971 he won the New York Golden Gloves in the Middleweight Division by defeating future World Champion Vito Antuofermo.
In September 1972, he started his professional career by stopping Dave Wyatt in four rounds. In the next several years he had wins over Willie Classen (W-8), Sugar Hart (KO-I0), Mario Rosa (KO-8) and Matt Franklin (W-I0). In October 1977, he fought Victor Galindez for the
WBA Light Heavyweight title, losing a close decision. In the next two and a half years, he would have 14 bouts, winning 13, 11 by KO. On March 31, 1980, he fought and beat Marvin Johnson on a TKO in 11 rounds and won the WBA Light Heavyweight Championship of the World. He would defend his title successfully against Jerry Martin (TKO-5) and Rudy Koopmans (TKO-4) before losing the championship to future heavyweight champ Michael Spinks on another close decision.
Eddie would get one more shot at the World Title in 1985 and would continue to box, even as a heavyweight, until October 1988. He ended with an outstanding professional record of 50-8-1 with 39 KOs.
For the last several years, he has become one of the top trainers in the sport.
Manager: Ben Muhammad
- After winning the WBA Light Heavyweight title, he changed his name from Eddie Gregory to Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, in deference to the Islamic faith he had recently come to embrace.
- Portrayed Billy Fox in Raging Bull.
Amateur Career
Trained at the Police Athletic League Howard Houses in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York.
- Amateur Achievements:
- 1971 New York Golden Gloves Champion (147 lbs), defeating Vito Antuofermo
- 1972 New York Golden Gloves Champion (147 lbs), defeating Patrick Maloney
- 1972 U.S. Olympic alternate
Training Career
After retiring as a boxer, Muhammad become a trainer. He has worked with the following boxers of note:
- Iran Barkley
- Michael Bentt
- Carl Daniels
- Chad Dawson
- Joan Guzman
- Danny Romero
- Ishe Smith
- Johnny Tapia
- James Toney
- Paul Vaden
- Chris Avalos
- Said El Harrak
- Zab Judah
Union Work
Muhammad has spent a lot of time organizing his boxing union, the Joint Association of Boxers (JAB), which is affiliated with the Teamsters Union. He has signed up more than 2,000 fighters. “Every organization has a union except the fighters,” Muhammad says. “This is my legacy, the union. When they can no longer fight and no longer hear the roar of the crowd, the fighters will still have their medical and health benefits.”
“Career inside the ring helped Muhammad prepare for life outside of it” article: [1]
Boxing Record: click