He made his professional debut 37 years in the past and fought for 13 years, incomes the respect of everybody he confronted – and he confronted an extended checklist of nice fighters.
He glided by the nickname “Iceman”. However, over the course of his spectacular profession, John Scully (38-11, 21 KOs) introduced the warmth over 49 fights, going up towards each contenders and champions.
Preventing out of Hartford, Connecticut, Scully would flip professional within the fall of 1988, and it was rapidly evident that the gifted boxer-puncher might dangle with the perfect in his weight division.
Scully moved between center, tremendous center, mild heavy, and even bordering on cruiser (close to the tip of his profession) all through his skilled run.
In previous interviews, Scully revealed that “weight” was a problem. He wasn’t at all times preventing at his splendid weight all through his skilled profession.
It was obvious that the one fighters that may get the perfect of Scully have been world-class contenders and champions, and so they had higher be on their recreation to do it.
At 13-0 by 1989, Scully would endure his first defeat from Michigan powerful man Bret Lally in a distance loss. He banked 5 extra wins in ’89 earlier than dropping a call to Kevin Watts, who would combat many champions in his profession.
By the remainder of 1990 till 1992, he would financial institution 9 extra spectacular wins.
Scully would drop back-to-back fights in November of ’92 and March of ’93. Nonetheless, it is very important word that he misplaced one combat to 19-0 Tim Littles, a future world title challenger, and the opposite to Tony Thornton, a tricky world title challenger who fought many champions and challengers.
From 1993 via 1995, Scully would acquire 8 extra wins. This might take him to the final six years of his profession, the place he confronted a formidable checklist of champions and contenders – one after the opposite.
Whereas Scully would go 3-7 in his final run as a professional, the numbers are deceptive.
On this chapter, he confronted world champions Michael Nunn (in a formidable efficiency), Henry Maske (in an IBF world title combat), and Graciano Rocchigiani. He boxed rugged contender Ernest Mateem (2 x), world title challenger Drake Thadzi, and Philly powerful man Sammy Ahmad.
Scully closed out his profession with a win over Cleveland Nelson, who had solely beforehand misplaced to Germany’s future world champion Thomas Ulrich.
Scully was old-fashioned. He confronted the perfect of his time, each probability he acquired. His resume displays his world-class expertise and the respect he earned from everybody he confronted.
Since retiring, Scully has stayed in boxing and works with many fighters in his native Connecticut in addition to with world champions from coach Marc Ramsey’s Montreal, Canada-based secure. He has loads of first-hand data and experience to go alongside to his fighters.
*I might be remiss in not mentioning that Scully has raised loads of funds for former fighters in a tricky spot of their life in retirement. He retains it very grassroots. No crimson tape, nothing fancy – simply raises as a lot cash as he can via auctioning off boxing memorabilia after which sends each dime to the fighter or their caregiver. Scully is certainly an excellent instance of easy methods to be the perfect of us on this sport. He by no means advertises it past making an attempt to deliver consideration to boost the funds. He doesn’t search for recognition. He simply quietly goes about doing what he can.
Certainly, a champion out and in of the ring.
As in your profession, Ice, thanks for all of your nice nights below the lights.
