Looking Back – World title challenger John “Iceman” Scully

He made his pro debut 37 years ago and fought for 13 years, earning the respect of everyone he faced - and he faced a long list of great fighters.  

He went by the nickname “Iceman”. But, over the course of his impressive career, John Scully (38-11, 21 KOs) brought the heat over 49 fights, going up against both contenders and champions.  

Fighting out of Hartford, Connecticut, Scully would turn pro in the fall of 1988, and it was quickly evident that the talented boxer-puncher could hang with the best in his weight division.  

Scully moved between middle, super middle, light heavy, and even bordering on cruiser (near the end of his career) throughout his professional run. 

In past interviews, Scully revealed that “weight” was an issue. He wasn’t always fighting at his ideal weight throughout his professional career.  

It was apparent that the only fighters that might get the best of Scully were world-class contenders and champions, and they had better be on their game to do it.  

At 13-0 by 1989, Scully would suffer his first defeat from Michigan tough guy Bret Lally in a distance loss. He banked 5 more wins in ’89 before dropping a decision to Kevin Watts, who would fight many champions in his career.    

Through the rest of 1990 until 1992, he would bank 9 more impressive wins.  

Scully would drop back-to-back fights in November of ’92 and March of ’93. However, it is important to note that he lost one fight to 19-0 Tim Littles, a future world title challenger, and the other to Tony Thornton, a tough world title challenger who fought many champions and challengers.  

From 1993 through 1995, Scully would collect 8 more wins. This would take him to the last six years of his career, where he faced an impressive list of champions and contenders - one after the other.  

While Scully would go 3-7 in his last run as a pro, the numbers are misleading.  

In this chapter, he faced world champions Michael Nunn (in an impressive performance), Henry Maske (in an IBF world title fight), and Graciano Rocchigiani. He boxed rugged contender Ernest Mateem (2 x), world title challenger Drake Thadzi, and Philly tough guy Sammy Ahmad.  

Scully closed out his career with a win over Cleveland Nelson, who had only previously lost to Germany’s future world champion Thomas Ulrich.  

Scully was old school. He faced the best of his time, every chance he got. His resume reflects his world-class skills and the respect he earned from everyone he faced.  

Since retiring, Scully has stayed in boxing and works with many fighters in his native Connecticut as well as with world champions from trainer Marc Ramsey’s Montreal, Canada-based stable. He has a lot of first-hand knowledge and expertise to pass along to his fighters.  

*I would be remiss in not mentioning that Scully has raised a lot of funds for former fighters in a tough spot in their life in retirement. He keeps it very grassroots. No red tape, nothing fancy - just raises as much money as he can through auctioning off boxing memorabilia and then sends every dime to the fighter or their caregiver. Scully is indeed a great example of how to be the best of us in this sport. He never advertises it beyond trying to bring attention to raise the funds. He doesn’t look for recognition. He just quietly goes about doing what he can. 

Indeed, a champion in and out of the ring. 

As for your career, Ice, thanks for all your great nights under the lights.