Kate Scott, a prominent sports broadcaster known for her charismatic presence on CBS Sports’ UEFA Champions League coverage, has captured the attention of audiences worldwide with her sharp wit, multilingual fluency, and engaging on-air chemistry with pundits like Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards. While her professional achievements are well-documented, her personal life—particularly her marriage to Malik Scott—has also piqued public interest. Malik, a former professional boxer turned trainer, is not just the husband of one of sports media’s brightest stars; he is a man with a compelling story of his own, marked by resilience, reinvention, and a deep connection with Kate. This article delves into who Malik is, his journey through the world of boxing, and the love story that has made him a notable figure alongside his famous wife.
Early life and boxing beginnings
Scott was born on October 16, 1980, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city renowned for its rich boxing heritage. Growing up in North Philadelphia, Scott’s early life was shaped by the gritty realities of his environment. He found solace and purpose in boxing, stepping into the ring for the first time at the age of 11. The sport became more than just a pastime—it was a lifeline. As he later reflected in an interview with Genting Casino, the ABC Gym in North Philadelphia “essentially saved my life.” This gym, a cornerstone of his youth, would later be immortalized in a touching gesture by Kate during their wedding.
Scott’s talent in the ring quickly became apparent. As an amateur, he racked up significant accolades, including the National AAU Heavyweight Championship and the “Under-19” Junior World Championship. These achievements laid the foundation for a professional career that would see him face some of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing. With a record of 38 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, Scott established himself as a formidable contender, even if a world title eluded him.
Professional boxing career
Scott turned professional in 2000, embarking on a 16-year career that showcased his skill, durability, and adaptability. Standing at 6’4” with a long reach, Scott was known for his mobility and technical prowess—attributes that made him a challenging opponent in the heavyweight division. Over the years, he squared off against notable fighters such as Derek Chisora, Luis Ortiz, Tony Thompson, and Deontay Wilder, the latter of whom would later become a significant figure in Scott’s post-fighting career.
One of Scott’s most memorable bouts came in 2013 against Dereck Chisora in London. The fight ended controversially when Scott was knocked down in the ninth round and appeared to take a knee, only to be counted out by the referee—a decision that remains debated among boxing fans. Despite setbacks like this, Scott’s career was marked by resilience. His final professional fight came in 2016 against Luis Ortiz, after which he retired with a respectable record and a reputation as a skilled journeyman.
Beyond his own fights, Scott’s involvement in the sport extended to high-profile sparring sessions. In 2013, he traveled to Brussels, Belgium, to spar with Tyson Fury, then an ascending star in the heavyweight division. Although their time together was cut short due to an injury, Scott noted Fury’s impressive mobility for a man of his size, foreshadowing the “Gypsy King’s” eventual rise to the top of the sport.
Transition to coaching
After hanging up his gloves, Malik Scott didn’t stray far from the ring. In 2021, he transitioned into a new role as a boxing trainer, most notably taking on the head coaching position for Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion. Scott’s relationship with Wilder dates back to their 2014 fight, where Wilder handed Scott one of his three career losses. The mutual respect forged in that encounter evolved into a professional partnership, with Scott stepping into Wilder’s corner following the boxer’s losses to Tyson Fury.
Under Scott’s guidance, Wilder refined his approach, focusing on strategy and adaptability. Their collaboration bore fruit in Wilder’s 2021 rematch with Robert Helenius, where Scott’s coaching helped secure a knockout victory. Scott has also worked with other prominent heavyweights, including Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, cementing his status as a respected figure in boxing’s training ranks.
Meeting Kate Scott
Malik’s life took a transformative turn when he met Kate (then Kate Abdo) in 2021. Their paths crossed at a boxing event featuring Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, where Kate was working as a broadcaster. At the time, Kate was already a seasoned sports presenter with a global reputation, having worked for CNN, Sky Sports, Fox Sports, and now CBS Sports. Her interest in boxing had deepened during her tenure at Sky Sports, and by 2021, she was immersing herself in the sport’s culture—sometimes literally, as she began training under Malik’s tutelage.
What began as a professional interaction soon blossomed into romance. Social media clips of Kate training with Malik sparked rumors, which the couple confirmed in March 2024 when they went public with their relationship on Instagram. Their bond was built on shared passions—Kate’s love for sports and Malik’s deep roots in boxing—and a mutual respect for each other’s drive. Just months later, in September 2024, they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on a helipad in Malibu, California, surrounded by candles, the ocean, and Malik’s children from a previous relationship.
The wedding was a reflection of their unique connection. Kate, ever thoughtful, surprised Malik with a wedding cake designed as a replica of the ABC Gym ring from his childhood, complete with a figurine of Malik in his signature pink-and-black boxing trunks and Kate beside him in a wedding dress. “The thoughtfulness and creativity moved me to tears,” Malik later told Genting Casino, highlighting how the gesture reconnected him with his formative years.
Life as Kate Scott’s husband
Since their marriage, Malik has embraced his role as Kate’s biggest supporter, often appearing alongside her in the public eye. Kate’s decision to take Malik’s surname—becoming Kate Scott professionally—marked a new chapter for the couple, announced with flair on CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage in September 2024. The moment, met with cheers from her co-hosts, underscored the couple’s playful yet profound partnership.
Malik’s integration into Kate’s world has not been without its challenges. In March 2024, a lighthearted but ill-judged comment from Jamie Carragher on air—suggesting Kate wasn’t “loyal” to Malik—sparked a minor media storm. Malik responded publicly, emphasizing his protective stance over his then-fiancée, though he later downplayed the incident, praising Kate’s handling of the situation and Carragher’s subsequent apology. The episode, while briefly contentious, highlighted Malik’s devotion and the couple’s ability to navigate public scrutiny together.
Beyond such moments, Malik has expressed admiration for Kate’s work with her CBS crew. In a December 2024 interview with The Mirror US, he lauded the “light-hearted and jokey” dynamic of the Champions League broadcasts, calling Kate and her co-pundits a “hilarious” team. His support extends to her potential ventures outside broadcasting—rumors of Kate stepping into the boxing ring herself have swirled, with Malik acknowledging interest from Misfits Boxing. However, he’s noted that any fight would require a hefty $20 million purse, reflecting both Kate’s star power and his protective instincts as her husband.