Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former Two-time World Heavyweight Champion. Ring record was 43-1-1 (33 KO’s). 1988 Olympic silver medalist.
DOB: August 10, 1967 In: Brooklyn, NY
Childhood Heroes: “Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson. They were class in and out of the ring. If I can take a little bit from all three guys – their boxing style and the way they lived – then one day I should be great too. I never want people to say about me: Here’s a guy who will be in jail in three years.”
Favorite Movies: “A Bronx Tale, Robert DeNiro. Cooley High. Uptown Saturday Night.”
Nicknames: “Rick, Hoonah – my brothers and sisters call me that. Big Daddy.”
First Car: “1968 Plymouth Fury (beige).”
First Job: “I never worked in my life, believe it or not.”
Early Boxing Memory: “I guess Muhammad Ali. I like the way he spoke, the way he handled himself. And things of that nature. And that’s what enticed me to get into boxing. I liked his spirit and I liked his style.”
How Did You Start In Boxing: “Muhammad Ali is what enticed me to get into boxing. I liked the way he spoke. See, what happened was, I was in junior high school – I was in 8th grade, I was 13 years old – and the reading teacher brought in a tape of Ali. And I just fell in love with Ali from that point on. I said, ‘I wanna be heavyweight champion of the world. ’ And in about ten years later it took place and it happened. My teacher, she called around a couple of gyms so I could start boxing. So we finally decided to go to Bed-Stuy Boxing Association Club. And I walked into the gym, fought in the Kid Gloves, the Golden Gloves, the Junior Olympics, and I realized in that time I could be champ. Because I did feel a certain ease, you know? A lot of guys had a lot more experience than I had but I was beatin’ up all them guys like I was there the whole time they were. ”
Funny Boxing Memory: “Sharmba Mitchell. He was fighting with a guy and the guy pulled his shorts down. I think he did that out of frustration. ”
First Boxing Memory: “Seventh grade. I was a skinny little nothing. The other kid’s name was Willie. He beat the hell out of me. I stayed around. They gave me some pointers and the next day I beat the hell out of Willie.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning the Heavyweight championship from Evander Holyfield. After watching the fight (after on TV), the tenth round [smiles]… Oh man, I’m gonna be honest with you. I’m gonna tell you something I’ve never told anyone – because nobody ever posed that question to me. I felt better than when my wife presented me with my first son (Riddick Jr.) nine years ago. I never thought anything would surpass that. When I heard Michael Buffer say: … and new Heavyweight champion of the world… I thought I died and went to heaven. Nothing has ever come close to that moment. That night I couldn’t go to sleep for like 24 hours. I was so excited. I did all the interviews with all you guys. Then I came to the room and filled the tub with hot water because I was so sore. Just sat and talked with my wife and mother. I didn’t sleep for like 24 hours.”
Most Painful Moment: “Two Golota fights. Well, because they didn’t go like I thought they would. And also, I think when Larry Holmes fought Muhammad Ali. And when I lost the title (1993) and that’s all Evander Holyfield’s fault. I felt very disappointed, disrespected… and neglected.”
Pre-Fight Feeling: “My mind is just saying, Let’s just go. Because I know at this point that I did my best to get in shape, and do what is necessary to be champ. (Look at opponent upon entering ring?) All the time. I feel like I’m fighting the man. I’m not gonna back down. So you gonna look at me, I’m gonna look at you. To me, it really isn’t a macho thing to me. It’s just the way it is. ”
Favorite Boxers To Watch: “Oscar De La Hoya. I think Oscar, he’s a classy act. I just think he’s a classy guy. I love Evander Holyfield. Even though he and I fought three or four times, I just love the guy. I think Evander Holyfield is always been a class act, win, lose or draw. Me and Evander, we trained together, we used to box. He, Tyrell Biggs and myself, we all boxed together before I turned pro. Always liked Evander, I mean, he’s a classy guy. Boxing – I’m gonna tell you how I feel. Certain people, they’re not gonna get down like that. I’m gonna keep it real with you. I always thought he was a classy guy. Vernon Forrest – I always liked his style too. Terry Norris. Roy Jones Jr. ”
Favorite Fights: “My all-time favorite would have to be Sugar Ray Robinson when he fought Jake Lamotta. And maybe Ali, when he fought Joe Frazier. I loved Ray Leonard too. Even Evander, if he wasn’t fighting me. ”
Toughest Opponent: “Evander Holyfield. Evander Holyfield! He was just so determined. I think by being somewhat smaller than all the guys in the heavyweight division, he always had something to prove. And if you came to the ring half-steppin’, he would beat you. ”
Hardest Puncher: “I think Herbie Hide got that department. (Really?) Absolutely. With either hand. A guy like that…look how many guys Herbie has knocked out. That’s an understatement. I mean, guys remember our fight as a mismatch but Herbie Hide was the hardest hitting guy I ever fought, big or small. No question. Herbie Hide. Actually, I’m gonna tell you something I never told nobody before…Herbie Hide had me out on my feet. It was instinct. I never went down. But fatigue beat him. And because I had enough chance to maintain my composure. He was somewhat scared and leery that he burned himself out. But Herbie Hide is the hardest hitting guy I ever fought.”
At Your Best: “I would have to say it was two fights. The (Jorge Luis) Gonzalez fight. And the first Evander Holyfield fight. No question about it. (Why Gonzalez?) He said a lot of derogatory things to me. He had beaten me in the amateurs. And by him talking as much as he did, it motivated me a whole lot. I owed him that. ”
Favorite Meal: “Stuff my mother would cook. That’s whatever [smiles]. ”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes. ”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla. ”
Favorite Sport Outside Boxing: “Basketball.”
Musical Tastes: “Gospel. Al Green. The Winans.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I just like to see people love one another. Don’t be fake with each other. If you’re gonna treat me good, then when my brother comes, treat him good too. Don’t treat me different because I’m the former champ. ”
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(Bowe art on Ring Magazine cover by LeRoy Neiman.)
