Thulani Malinga
Encyclopedia
Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga (born December 11, 1955 in Ladysmith, South Africa
, was a professional boxer
in the Super Middleweight
(168lb
) division, and was twice WBC super middleweight champion.
of Victor Zulu on August 8, 1981. Malinga held several championship titles during a twenty year career as a Middleweight
, Super Middleweight
, and Light Heavyweight
, fighting memorable bouts against Nigel Benn
, Chris Eubank
, and Roy Jones Jr.
among others.
In 1989 he got his first shot at a title, taking on IBF Super Middleweight Title holder Graciano Rocchigiani
. Malinga lost a decision, and the next year took on Lindell Holmes
again for the IBF Super Middleweight Title. He again lost via decision, and in 1992 got a shot at the WBO Super Middleweight Title against Chris Eubank
, but Malinga was dropped in the 5th and lost a close decision. Three months later he was also to lose a close decision - by just half a point - against Nigel Benn
. After many fights in his native South Africa - and a further loss, by KO to Roy Jones Jr.
in the US - he landed another shot at the title, against Benn
, now the reigning WBC Super Middleweight Title holder. Malinga scored an upset against Benn (despite suffering a knockdown) to win the title, but lost the title in his first defense against Vincenzo Nardiello
. He regained the belt in his next fight, a decision win over Robin Reid (who had defeated Nardiello in his first defense of the title). Again, he lost the belt in his first defense, a decision loss to Richie Woodhall
. He fought four more times, retiring after a suffering an eighth-round T.K.O. against Ole Klemetsen
on January 14, 2000, finishing his career with 44 wins (20 by K.O.) and 13 losses.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, was a professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in the Super Middleweight
Super middleweight
Super Middleweight is a boxing and Muay Thai weight division that has a weight limit of 168 pounds .- 1960s–1983 :There was interest in a division between Middleweight and Light Heavyweight in the late 1960s, the mid-1970s, and the early 1980s...
(168lb
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
) division, and was twice WBC super middleweight champion.
Professional career
Known as "Sugar Boy", Malinga turned pro in 1981 after compiling an amateur Record of 185-10, beginning his career with a first-round T.K.O.Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
of Victor Zulu on August 8, 1981. Malinga held several championship titles during a twenty year career as a Middleweight
Middleweight
Middleweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have begun in the 1840s. In the bare-knuckle era, the first middleweight championship fight was between Tom Chandler and Dooney Harris in 1897...
, Super Middleweight
Super middleweight
Super Middleweight is a boxing and Muay Thai weight division that has a weight limit of 168 pounds .- 1960s–1983 :There was interest in a division between Middleweight and Light Heavyweight in the late 1960s, the mid-1970s, and the early 1980s...
, and Light Heavyweight
Light heavyweight
In boxing, the light heavyweight is a weight division above 168 pounds [12 Stone or 76.204 kilograms] and up to 175 pounds [12.5 stone or 79.38 kilograms]), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight...
, fighting memorable bouts against Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn , known as "The Dark Destroyer", is a British former boxer who held world titles in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions....
, Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank, Lord of the Manor of Brighton is a retired British boxer who held world titles at middleweight and super middleweight...
, and Roy Jones Jr.
Roy Jones Jr.
Roy Jones, Jr. is an American boxer. As a professional he has captured numerous world titles in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight divisions...
among others.
In 1989 he got his first shot at a title, taking on IBF Super Middleweight Title holder Graciano Rocchigiani
Graciano Rocchigiani
Graciano "Rocky" Rocchigiani , is a former German professional boxer who held world titles in the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.-Professional career:...
. Malinga lost a decision, and the next year took on Lindell Holmes
Lindell Holmes
Lindell Holmes is a retired American boxer in the super middleweight division.Holmes turned professional in 1979 and in 1986 challenged IBF Super Middleweight Title holder Chong-Pal Park of South Korea. The bout was ruled a no contest in the 2nd round after an accidental head-clash opened a cut on...
again for the IBF Super Middleweight Title. He again lost via decision, and in 1992 got a shot at the WBO Super Middleweight Title against Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank, Lord of the Manor of Brighton is a retired British boxer who held world titles at middleweight and super middleweight...
, but Malinga was dropped in the 5th and lost a close decision. Three months later he was also to lose a close decision - by just half a point - against Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn , known as "The Dark Destroyer", is a British former boxer who held world titles in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions....
. After many fights in his native South Africa - and a further loss, by KO to Roy Jones Jr.
Roy Jones Jr.
Roy Jones, Jr. is an American boxer. As a professional he has captured numerous world titles in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight divisions...
in the US - he landed another shot at the title, against Benn
Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn , known as "The Dark Destroyer", is a British former boxer who held world titles in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions....
, now the reigning WBC Super Middleweight Title holder. Malinga scored an upset against Benn (despite suffering a knockdown) to win the title, but lost the title in his first defense against Vincenzo Nardiello
Vincenzo Nardiello
Vincenzo Nardiello is a retired world championship Italian boxer in the super middleweight division.- Amateur Achievements :*1984 Italian superlightweight champion*1985 Silver Trofeo Italy...
. He regained the belt in his next fight, a decision win over Robin Reid (who had defeated Nardiello in his first defense of the title). Again, he lost the belt in his first defense, a decision loss to Richie Woodhall
Richie Woodhall
Richie Woodhall is a former English World Champion super-middleweight boxer. He lost his last fight to his friend Joe Calzaghe in 2000, and subsequently retired in 2002....
. He fought four more times, retiring after a suffering an eighth-round T.K.O. against Ole Klemetsen
Ole Klemetsen
Ole "Lukkøye" Klemetsen is a retired Norwegian boxer in the Light Heavyweight division. He was nicknamed "Mister Sandman" and the "Golden Viking".-Amateur:...
on January 14, 2000, finishing his career with 44 wins (20 by K.O.) and 13 losses.
Titles Held
- WBCWorld Boxing CouncilThe World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
Super Middleweight - WBFWorld Boxing FederationThe World Boxing Federation is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. Its offices are located in Luxembourg.-History:...
Super Middleweight