Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former WBC Middleweight Champion. Boxed pro from 1988-1995. Final ring record is 31-3 with 29 KOs.
Ht 6-1 Wt: 16
DOB: October 23, 1967 In: Freeport, IL
Childhood Heroes: Bruce Lee. He’s always been an idol of mine. Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns both were my idols. Then they fought each other (1981) I just hoped the best man won.
Nickname: The G Man.
Childhood Ambitions: I wanted to be a boxer since I was four, when my father (Emmitt) introduced me to it.
Hobbies/Interests: My dogs. I have eleven pit bulls. I can’t remember all their names but I can tell which one is which. I spend four or five hours a day with them. A pit bull is a real aggressive animal. They hate other animals and other people but they’re friendly with me. When I come back after being away at a fight, I can tell they missed me.
First Job: Summer job with Parks & Recreation (age 16).
First Car: 1982 blue Mazda.
Early Boxing Memory: Winning my first Golden Gloves. I fought my own trainer in the final, Jerry Edwards, and won a decision.
Pre-Fight Meal: Pasta with meat sauce, fish, chicken, lots of carbohydrates, water, Gatorade, two cans of Coke.
Pre-Fight Feeling: I try to be calm but going to the ring is the most exciting, scared feeling – real scared. You train so long to get in shape, you have everything to lose.
Favorite Fights: Hagler vs Hearns, Tyson vs Ruddock 1 and 2, Duran vs Barkley.
Favorite Boxers To Watch: Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker, myself of course.
Favorite Meal: McDonalds Double Cheeseburger with fries.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor(s): Peppermint, chocolate, strawberry.
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: I don’t eat breakfast. Never did. Always go to the gym at 1 pm. I’d be too full if I ate breakfast.
Greatest Sports Moment(s): My knockout wins over John “The Beast” Mugabi (1991 KO 1 for WBO title) and Julian Jackson (KO 5 in 1993 for WBC title, KO 1 in 199).
Most Treasured Possession: My home that I bought in Freeport.
Musical Tastes: Rap, oldies, jazz, I can get into it all.
Closest Friends In Boxing: Simon Brown. Roy Jones. Michael Moorer – we lived together for four years.
Favorite Sport Outside Boxing: Basketball.
Interesting Fact: I can describe myself in one word – loyal.
People Qualities Most Admired: Don King – for being the man he is. For keeping his head up. People try to put stumbling blocks in his way, but he beats them all the time. He’s been good to me.
Future Ambitions: To become undisputed Middleweight and Super Middleweight champion. Retire as a wealthy man. And raise some young fighters.
(Note: This Biofile interview was done by phone in 1994 and it was published in World Boxing magazine and Don King Official programs.)
