"I'm feeling real good right now man, and I'm looking forward to February 18th in Corpus Christi, Texas...it's like my pro debut, but I got a ton of experience now in and out of the ring. I consider this like my pro debut because this is a different Malik Scott. Nobody has ever seen this Malik Scott right here, so I will consider this like my pro debut...I plan on being the heavyweight champion by this time next year...I have been off for 3 years due to injury and managerial and promotional contracts, but now I'm stronger, I'm bigger, I'm faster, my mental toughness has skyrocketed and I can't wait for the world to see the finishing touches," stated undefeated heavyweight contender Malik Scott, who's looking forward to getting his career back on track when he returns to the ring on February 18. Check out what else he had to say!
PC: Malik, my man, you originally thought you would be fighting at the end of January and now that has changed to mid- February. Have all of the date changes affected you any?
MS: Not at all, Perc. I got so much shit going on in my life that is positive. I'm feeling so good. I'm in the best shape of my life, I got a chip on my shoulder, and like I said man, I'm waiting for a savage to come and knock it off. I'm feeling real good right now man, and I'm looking forward to February 18th in Corpus Christi, Texas.
PC: It has been a long time since you have fought. Are you approaching this as your first fight or picking up where you left off?
MS: Being the fact that I'm on my Makaveli shit and it's the reincarnation of Malik "King" Scott, it's like my pro debut, but I got a ton of experience now in and out of the ring. I consider this like my pro debut because this is a different Malik Scott. Nobody has ever seen this Malik Scott right here, so I will consider this like my pro debut.
PC: This is a card where Paul Williams and Chris Arreola will be featured on it, as well as yourself. You could really get back in the public eye and stamp your name on the game with this show. Is that the way you're approaching this thing?
MS: Oh, definitely Perc; definitely man. I didn't really care who was on the show, but shout out to Paul Williams and Chris Arreola. I'm the main attraction; me and my time. Like I said, we're coming through to take over Corpus Christi and I'm gonna put on a spectacular performance man, so I can continue to do what I do as far as this boxing is concerned and start to get up high in them rankings, because I plan on being the heavyweight champion by this time next year.
PC: That was my next question. Did you want to fight 5 or 6 times this year or would you prefer to fight less and higher quality to climb those rankings?
MS: Oh no, I'm trying to go as many times as I can go man, as long as I'm healthy. I'm trying to go 5, 6 or 7 times this year. Arreola went 5 times last year and to me, that's how us modern day heavyweights should be, just as busy as he was. It shouldn't be like one heavyweight fighting 5 times a year. All of us should be busy like that. I got confidence in my promoter Dan Goossen. He got me on the right track and after this fight, I believe I'm going to be busier than I've ever been in my career.
PC: When we spoke the last time, you said the opponent didn't matter because you were gonna show up at your best. With all of the postponements and things like that, is that still the approach and mindset?
MS: Nah, I don't have no issues with no opponents. Man, this is Malik "King" Scott, AKA "Mr. No Picks". I have no picks and I don't discriminate with my ass whoopin's. Anybody can get it. Like I said man, the least thing I'm worried about is who I'm fighting. The only thing I'm concerned about, not even concerned, but the only thing that I am focused on is this spectacular performance man, and taking over Corpus Christi, Texas. That's all I'm coming to do. I don't care who is the main event or the co-main event, the only thing I'm focused on is Malik Scott putting on a show and doing it in spectacular fashion and showing people why I am reincarnated as "The King."
PC: I spoke to both James Ali Bashir and Henry Ramirez and they both spoke very highly of you. Bashir told me about your times with Lennox Lewis and sparring with him. How much did those sparring sessions help you and put you in a position now where you can make this comeback?
MS: I'm glad you brought that up Percy because I read the interview where "Queenpin" said I haven't been through nothing and she been in there with Larry Holmes. I want to get something straight about this "Queenpin" bitch. First of all, as far as "Queenpin" is concerned, that bitch don't get no more of my attention. Me and her was never friends. She was some bitch that always used to crack jokes to try and get close to me. And the lies she's talking about as far as me and her sparring and her beating my ass and all of those lies, hey Perc, the only people in my life to ever beat my ass was my momma, when I was a young boy ripping and running and tearing up shit, and my mentor Lennox Lewis, when I first turned pro. Lennox used to hand me my ass day after day after day. I wore those ass whoopin's proudly because he was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and I was just coming up. I was learning a lot from him and paying my dues. But this "Queenpin" bitch nigga need to stop lying to the public. The world got a better chance of seeing pigs fly before they see a bitch like "Queenpin" fuck with me in this boxing shit. As far as the sparring with Lennox Lewis, he was like a real current in my career. He really took me under his wing, and he was always my idol coming up and he was my mentor, so everything I learned...I got over 100 rounds of sparring with Lennox Lewis, way over 100 rounds. Everything that Lennox taught me, I have carried it on. It was a great experience and I really appreciate it. Lennox holds a special place in my heart because he did a lot of things with me that he didn't have to do.
PC: Texas has some very passionate fight fans. What can they expect from you on February 18th?
MS: An explosion. They gonna see a big man that they never seen move like this. They gonna see the fastest heavyweight in the world. They are gonna see an explosive heavyweight and a colorful heavyweight. This is a whole new Malik Scott. This is Malik "King" Scott. I have a whole new team and, like I said man, I am reincarnated and re-motivated and I'm just ready to go. I can't wait to show the world the final touches of Malik "King" Scott.
PC: I know you don't get paid by the hour, but are you looking to get in some rounds or are you approaching this fight like you don't get paid by the hour?
MS: I'm treating it like I don't get paid by the hour, man. If the opportunity presents itself to get somebody up out of there, I'm taking a motherfucker out. But at the same time, people know that I'm a natural boxer/puncher and I'm sticking to my same demeanor. I'm using all of my attributes and, like I said, if an opportunity presents itself, a motherfucker going to sleep.
PC: I look forward to seeing you back in that squared circle doing what you do. I wish you the best of luck in 2012. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
MS: I just want to say I appreciate all of the support and all the hate. Like I always say, the only thing I ever worry about as far as what a motherfucker gotta say about me is when he ain't saying nothing. I have been off for 3 years due to injury and managerial and promotional contracts, but now I'm stronger, I'm bigger, I'm faster, my mental toughness has skyrocketed and I can't wait for the world to see the finishing touches of Malik "King" Scott. I got a hard on for myself, man; that's how good I'm looking right now.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]