Scott took up the sport at the tender age of 11 and very shortly showed adequate promise to plunge into an amateur circuit rampage. By 1997 he took both the Junior Olympics Championship and the so-called “Under-19” Junior World Championship in another division-stamping his presence in the boxing fraternity a sure prospect. He continued to excel and bagged the gold medal in the American Boxing Classic in 1998 and another in the National AAU Heavyweight Championship of 1999, dominating both events.
In this context, victories over the then-future world champion Michael Bennett among others and Jason Estrada are well remembered. Thus, by the time the amateur career came to its close, Scott had earned a quite impressive record of 70 wins against only 3 losses.
Professional Boxing Career
Turning professional in 2000, Scott went on to have a career that lasted more than 16 years. He remained undefeated for the first 35 fights, showcasing his immense skill and technical ability inside the squared circle in the heavyweight division. Throughout his career, he had notable victories against opponents such as David Bostice, Charles Shufford, and Alex Leapai. Despite the successes, Scott has struggled with setbacks, including defeats to high-profile fighters like Dereck Chisora and Deontay Wilder. He retired from professional boxing with a 38-3-1 record and 13 KOs.
Transition to Training
Since his retirement from active competition in 2016, Scott has been coaching up-and-coming fighters. In 2021, he took over as head trainer for former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, cornering him in high-profile fights like the trilogy bout against Tyson Fury. Scott’s training philosophy blends artistry and aggression in refining the technical skill of his fighters while preserving their natural power.
Recent Endeavors and Predictions
Outside of training Wilder, Scott has expanded his coaching repertoire. In October 2024, he joined the corner of reigning WBA Cruiserweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for a unification fight against WBO titleholder Chris “The Gentleman” Billam-Smith in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Scott’s opinion about the sport remains highly valued; in December 2024, he commented on some of the potential fights, claiming interest in a bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He went on to add that since both fighters had gone through some setbacks recently, a lot would be dependent on how well they prepared and in what form they were currently in.
Personal Life
While fans still enjoyed Scott’s exploits inside the ring, everything else about Scott didn’t leave them indifferent. In his personal life, in September 2024, Scott married British sports presenter Kate Abdo, famous for her work on the UEFA Champions League coverage under CBS Sports’ umbrella. They naturally attracted media attention, mentioning a possible boxing debut from Abdo, which would be trained by Scott. Such moves, though, would require serious financial attractiveness and planning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Malik Scott
What is Malik Scott’s professional boxing record?
The professional record of Malik Scott consists of 38-3-1 with 13 knockouts.
In what year did Malik Scott retire from professional boxing?
Scott retired from professional boxing in 2016.
Who has Malik Scott trained since his retirement from boxing?
Since retiring, Scott has trained numerous fighters, including former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and undefeated WBA Cruiserweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, among others.
Is Malik Scott married?
Yes, Malik Scott married British sports presenter Kate Abdo in September 2024.
What are Malik Scott’s physical attributes?
Scott stands at 6 feet 5 inches tall, with an 81-inch reach.
What are some of the achievements of Malik Scott as an amateur?
Indeed, as an amateur, Scott won the Junior Olympics Championship along with the “Under-19” Junior World Championship in 1997.
Has Malik Scott demonstrated an interest in training others outside of the sport of boxing?
While principally a boxing promoter, Scott has been mentioned to be preparing his wife, Kate Abdo, for an amateur ring debut.
What is Malik Scott’s philosophy on training?
Scott stresses the importance of developing technical skill, but also keeping a fighter’s natural power intact, with an emphasis on artistry and aggression in the ring.
