Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Three-time world champion. Boxed from 1997-2012. Final pro record is 45-3-2 with 32 KOs. 2005 Ring Magazine “Fighter of the Year.”
DOB: October 6, 1978 In: Manchester, England
Boxing Inspirations: Nigel Benn and Roberto Duran, my hero. He came from the street with nothing and went out to be a superstar.
Hobbies/Interests: Football. Watching Manchester City. And darts.
Nicknames: The Hitman. The Manchester Mexican. The Pride of Hyde.
Favorite Movies: Scarface, Casino, Heat, Stir Crazy.
Favorite TV Show: I like the TV program ‘Only Fools & Horses’ to such an extent that I bought a three-wheeler van like the one in the show.
Early Boxing Memory: Watching Benn and Eubank with 40,000 people at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. My two uncles Ged and Paul took me when I was fourteen.
Favorite Meal: Chinese.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: I don’t eat it.
First Job: Carpet fitter for my dad’s carpet business.
First Car: Austin Metro.
Current Car: Mercedes CLK.
Pre-Fight Feeling: All the training and hard work that has gone into where I am now. I warm up in the dressing room, do some stretching and get loose. I listen to music, the louder the better because, although I am focused, I hate my dressing room to be quiet. I like it lively, so the louder the better. Then I think about the fight itself. And I try to remember what I practiced in the gym.
Pre-Fight Superstition: I don’t really have any superstition. But I always kiss my fingers and rub them over my eye brows before I lace my gloves on before the fight.
Greatest Sports Moment: After beating Kostya Tszyu (won IBF Junior Welter title in 2005 by TKO 11), receiving the MBE from Prince Charles (2007).
Most Painful Moment: Just before my pro debut there was an irregularity in my heart that needed investigation. That caused my first fight to be postponed until it was discovered everything was fine.
Worst Injury: Two cuts over my eyes in the opening rounds against Carlos Maussa (KO 9 2005).
Embarrassing Boxing Memory: There haven’t been too many.
Toughest Opponents: All my opponents have been tough and all the fights educational. I never take anybody too lightly.
Favorite Boxers To Watch: Duran, Chavez, Mike Tyson – when he was younger, Nigel Benn.
Favorite Fights: Benn vs Eubank. Castillo vs. Corrales. Barrera vs Morales.
Childhood Dream: To become a world champion boxer.
Last Book Read: Roberto Duran, Hands Of Stone. (Ever wonder how you would do against Duran in a dream fight?) You always wonder how you would have got on against your idol. Although I have to say, he might have killed me!
Last Vacation: Tenerife.
Which Fight(s) Were You At Your Best: Kostya Tszyu. Nothing could have stopped me that night.
People Qualities Most Admired: Honesty. Humility. Trust.
Artwork by Richard T. Slone
