Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former WBA Welterweight champion 1994-1998. Pro record was 37-4-1 with 32 KOs.
Ht: 5-8 1/2 Wt 147
DOB: November 27, 1969 In: Accra, Ghana
Childhood Heroes: Sugar Ray Leonard – his boxing style. And some people say I look like him.
Nicknames: Bazooka, Machine Gun, Ike (birth name Isufu).
Hobbies/Interests: Play and watch soccer, music.
Childhood Dreams: To be a world champion like Sugar Ray. He inspired me. And my father – and my brother – he was the first African to win a silver medal, 1960 in Rome (140).
Pre-Fight Feeling: I always feel like winning, knocking people out. The point is to knock him out. Always think to knock them out. Never nervous. Because I know what to do. Look at him in the ring. After the first minute or round, or watching videotapes, I know what I must do. Sometimes I must wait for the knockout.
First Job: Boxing.
First Car: 1990 green Toyota.
Early Boxing Memory: First knockout as a boy. Age seven. Right hand – my bazooka punch. I was fighting on the street… against Yuusifi Abass. He told me I’m going to be world champion. We became friends then. I come from a boxing family. My father and grandfather boxed.
Favorite Boxers To Watch: Terry Norris – always knocking people out. Leonard. Pernell Whitaker. Muhammad Ali – I met him twice in Los Angeles – in the gym and at the Forum. I was very, very happy to meet him.
Favorite Meal: African food. Chinese food. With water. Make champagne after a fight.
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: No,, omelette.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Don’t like.
Worst Injury: Never had an injury.
Greatest Career Moment: When I became champion. In the 11th round. When he (Cristanto Espana) was going down. From right hand. Then left, right, left, right. I feel so up. I jumped up and down. Jumped onto my trainer (Daniel Odamtten). My people lifted me up. I thanked God because I believe in God. I was crying. Because I knew it was going to happen.
Closest Friends In Boxing: Alfred Kotey, Azumah Nelson.
Musical Tastes: Bob Marley, Reggae, Jimmy Cliff, Hi-Life.
Interesting Fact: I’m very quiet. But if you know me I could be your best friend. In the ring… no more friend. After the ring we have friendship. In the ring I turn into a different person altogether. Like someone who is going to kill someone.
Favorite Fights: I don’t like to watch too many fights. Only those who are future opponents like Sweet Pea, Terry Norris. I don’t like to watch too much boxing.
Favorite Athletes To Watch: Jurgen Klinsmann, Diego Maradona, Abede Pele – from Ghana. I know him personally.
Favorite Vacation Spot: Rome, Italy.
People Qualities Most Admired: I like someone who jokes, who likes to laugh. I’m a joker. And someone who doesn’t lie. Someone who tells the truth. Honest people. Those are qualities I like in people. If you don’t tell me the truth, I hate you.
Future Ambitions: To be the greatest. Beat Whitaker. Beat Trinidad. To prove that I am the best in the world. I’m number one. I’ve got everything to prove I’m the best – the heart, the punch. Trinidad doesn’t want to fight me, either does Whitaker.
