Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former Five Time World Champion including IBF Lightweight champion (June 1987-Feb. 1988); WBA Junior Middleweight Champion (Oct 1991-Dec. 1992). Inducted into International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025. Final pro record is 50-10 with 30 KOs.
DOB: December 16, 1962 In: Providence, RI
Childhood Sports Heroes: Muhammad Ali. OJ Simpson. My father Angelo.
Childhood Ambitions: I was always a good football player. I was a monster back. My coach gave me free run of the field. I was first in the league in tackles and second in interceptions. If I was bigger, I would have gone on to college.
Hobbies/Interests: Music and movies. I spend most of my free time at the movies with a big bucket of popcorn and a box or Raisinets.
First Car: 1974 Ford Mustang with mag wheels.
Earliest Boxing Memory: There’s two. My first match ever when I was six. The other kid was bigger than me and I got a bloody nose. But I stuck it out and kept fighting. Later, when I was fourteen, I fought in Newport. They put me in the ring with a guy who looked like a little Mike Tyson. Willie Pep was there. I got another bloody nose. But I was coming on strong by the third.
Memorable High School Achievement: When our team played the defending state champions and we beat them 9-7. On their turf. I had three interceptions and a dozen solo tackles. One of my interceptions was in the last minute in the end zone.
Pre-Fight Meal: I eat pasta the day before. The day of the fight I eat mainly proteins – tuna, chicken, eggs – because carbohydrates make me sluggish.
Pre-Fight Feeling: I just feel real anxious, ready to get it on. Go to war. Get it on. Let it fly, whatever happens, happens.
Greatest Sports Moment: When I won the WBA Junior Middleweight title against Gilbert Dele. Everybody had written me off. I was killing myself to make weight but it was one of my best fights. When I knocked him out in the 12th round, it was the best feeling I ever had. The ultimate. Better than when I beat Greg Haugen. I jumped up and then went down to one knee and said, ‘Yes, I did it.’ Dele KO video highlights link
Musical Tastes: Pumped up R& B for working out. Slow jams all night long.
Favorite Athletes To Watch: Michael Jordan. Andre Agassi. Wayne Gretzky. And Pam Anderson. I like to watch her run on the beach in Baywatch.
Favorite Fights: Chavez-Taylor I. Hagler-Hearns. Balboa-Creed I, II.
Favorite Boxers To Watch: Muhammad Ali. Sugar Ray Leonard. Tyson.
Favorite Meal: Steak, pasta, red wine.
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Apple Jacks and Frosted Mini-Wheats.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Double Dutch Chocolate.
Closest Friends In Boxing: Kevin Rooney. We just hit it off right off the bat. I went with Kevin when Tyson gave him his walking papers. Both of us were written off. Willie Pep. He comes to all my fights. He tells me to stick and move, don’t forget to duck and to keep my ass off the canvas.
Funniest Boxers: Hector Camacho – he’s crazy. George Foreman – he just has that way about him.
Interesting Facts: I love green M&Ms and I’m not afraid to die. I’ve done so much, been through so many ups and down, I feel like I’ve already done everything. If push comes to shove, I wouldn’t cry about dying.
Future Ambitions: I’d like to become the first fighter to go from lightweight champion to light heavyweight champion. Then after I retire from boxing, I’d like to train a world champion.
(Note: This Biofile interview was done in 1995 at the New York City press conference to announce the Vinny Pazienza vs. Roy Jones world championship fight in Atlantic City. After the Biofile was published in World Boxing magazine, I mailed a copy to Vinny and he sent me a thank you note.)
