IBO Boxing Honesty and Integrity
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: World Middleweight Champion.
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 160
DOB: April 8, 1982 In: Karaganda, Kazakhstan
Ring Record: 33-0 (30 KO’s)
First Memory of Boxing: “Long time ago [smiles]. I think eleven or ten. I remember it was fun, just good atmosphere for me and for my friends, and my brother Max.”
Boxing Inspirations: “My older brother.”
Last Book Read: “Just national history book.”
Pre-Fight Feeling: “Not very serious, just relaxing. Just normal.”
First Famous Boxer You Met Or Encountered: “Good question … I think … Marvin Hagler. (Where?) In Monaco. Great atmosphere for me and for my reaction. (Remember what he said?) Just good luck – and after the fight (he said) Wow, good style, good power.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Wow … my pro debut. (Why that?) Because after Olympic Games, after amateur career, I finished. I finished boxing. And pro – it was a new start for me in the sport (KO 1 Gabor Balogh in Germany in 2006).”
Most Painful Moment: “Olympic Games – final in Olympics (silver medal in 2004).”
Funny Boxing Memory: “I can’t think of one [smiles].”
Strangest Fight Or Opponent: “No, all of my opponents were normal.”
Why Do You Love Boxing: “I don’t know … because it’s a sport that’s my life. Boxing is my life. I’ve been in boxing a long time. I love boxing.”
Favorite Sport Outside Boxing: “I like soccer, swimming, basketball, baseball. Every time it’s different, I like to see different sports.”
Favorite Movie: “Scarface.”
Childhood Dream: “Wow – I don’t know. I feel – big business or big sportsman.”
Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: “Michael Phelps. And Alexander Karelin. And Usain Bolt right now.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Serious people, not very funny people, serious people. True people.”
Scoop’s new book “Muhammad Ali: Portrait of a Champion” is available at amazon for $9.99.
