Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former Welterweight Champion 1986-1987 and 1988-1989. Final professional record is 43-5 30 KOs.
DOB: April 22, 1960 In: St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
Nicknames: Lover Man, Honey, Too Sweet, Ragamuffin.
Childhood Heroes: Muhammad Ali. Watching Ali on TV I wanted to be like him. I met him the night Frank Bruno lost to Tim Witherspoon. I told Ali, “I’m gonna be champion of the world. I’m fighting Donald Curry. I’m gonna beat him and I’m gonna become world champion just like you!” Just like that. Ali thought I was a madman! I went and saw him five months after beating Donald Curry in Atlantic City. Ali said he saw me and thought I was some crazy guy! But he said, You can fight, man, damn!
Pre-Fight Feeling: I want to kill the guy. Look straight through him. I come to fight, no pussyfootin’ around.
Early Boxing Memory: My early days I was really keen. When I was thirteen, a trainer said, Have a blow. So I went and exhaled. He said, No, I mean a rest. I was really, really keen, you know?
First Job: Repairing starter motors for cars in London (age 16).
First Car: White Fiat Super Fury.
Favorite Movie: First Blood Rambo.
Musical Tastes: Bob Marley… Don’t worry, everything gonna be all right!
Greatest Career Moment: That has to be winning the world title (KO 6 Donald Curry in Atlantic City in 1986). Being a champion was something I had been working on since I was a kid. About a half-hour before going into the ring, my manager Mickey Duff, came to me and said, Lloyd you’re a 6-1 underdog. I said, Put $5000 on me to win!
Most Painful Moment: Being hit in the temple with a left hook from Marlon Starling. He hit me right on the temple, like he hit a nerve. That’s why my face swelled up.
Hardest Puncher Encountered: I faced a couple of hard punchers. I’ve been hit a couple of times. The hardest shot I took was from a fellow named Mickey Hughes for the Commonwealth Light Middleweight title, who I ended up beating (Jan. 1993).
Toughest Opponent: The toughest fight I ever had was a guy called Cliff Gilpin. It was for the British Welterweight title. My first title fight, twelve rounds of terror, just a war. It was non-stop punching and fighting until it came to an end in the 12th (April 1983 at Royal Albert Hall).
Favorite Boxers To Watch: Mike Tyson.
Favorite Meal: Caribbean food.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate.
Funny Boxing Memory: I was about 22 years old, fighting an Eliminator for the British Welterweight title (Jan 1983 Royal Albert Hall). I was so tired, me and my opponent (Lloyd Hibbert) fell out of the ring [laughs]. (Who won?) I won, of course.
