Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former WBA Heavyweight Champion.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 230
DOB: June 13, l951 In: Gatesville, Texas
First Boxing Memory: When I knocked this guy out over the juke box in the Marines, then they asked me to join boxing team. The guy was the Marines champ [laughs].”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning the title (KO 15 at 2:15 John Tate in Knoxville, TN in March 1980), when the experts said I would not.”
Most Painful Moment: “The way they took the title from me (by controversial quick KO l stoppage vs. Michael Dokes. Rematch with Dokes was a 15 round draw).”
Funny Boxing Memory: “As an amatuer, the guy was sitting telling me how to beat his guy up, but he didn’t know it was me he was fighting [smiles]. Then he said, ‘I thought you said you were a heavyweight?’ I said, ‘Well, I forgot to put the light in front of heavyweight [smiles].'”
Strangest Fight Or Opponent: “I can’t think of any at the moment.”
Which Fight Did You Feel At Your Very Best: “Gerrie Coetzee fight (TKO 13 in second title defense Oct 1980). I stepped in the ring feeling no one will beat me that day.”
Toughest Opponent: “All my fights that went past the first round…I’ll say a guy named Bill Sharkey, he was a tough ten round battle. He was from New York and undefeated (l4-0) and we fought in New York (1977).”
Hardest Puncher: Encountered: “Bernardo Mercado (TKO 5 win in ’78).”
Favorite Boxers To Watch: “Ali, Mayweather, Leornard, too many to name.”
Favorite Boxing Movie: “The Greatest.”
