Edwin Malave

Edwin Malave (born August 4, 1950) in New York, New York, better known as "Chu Chu Malave" is a former professional boxer and an actor.

Boxing career

On February 23, 1970, at the age of 19, Malave, a two-time Golden New York Gloves champ, had his first professional boxing match against Ruben DeJesus, beating him in four rounds by unanimous decision in New York's Audubon Ballroom in Harlem. Malave, however, lost his second fight against Freytes Caban who came into the match with a 5-1 record, decisioning Malave in a close fight March 16 that same year.

Malave had won nine of his next ten bouts, including a rematch against Freytus Caban, avenging the defeat of the previous meeting by winning a unanimous decision. His only defeat in a string of victories was against Doc McClendon, a journeyman boxer.

With a record of 10-2 and 5 knockouts, Malave faced Harold Weston, who would later become a world title challenger. Harold Weston came into the August 9, 1971 match with a 12-1 record. Malave won by a split-decision.

Malave had a streak of 10 fights without a loss, winning 8 fights with two draws. He defeated Harold Weston in the rematch at the Garden by unanimous decision, and a rematch against Pat Murphy at the Felt Forum that was a draw. He became the fifth ranked lightweight contender after his knockout victory over the United Kingdom Commonwealth lightweight champion Percy Hayles from Kingston, Jamaica, at the Felt Forum.

On June 4, 1973 at the Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden, New York, Malave lost to Ray Lampkin by an eighth round knockout.

Malave took a fight in Boston, Mass. against Greg Joiner, winning by a knockout in the 3rd round. Then he faced former World Lightweight Champion Ken Buchanan, losing by a TKO in the 7th round September 1, 1973, which turned out to be his last professional boxing match.

Acting career

Malave beat out Erik Estrada for the role of "Ramon Santos" in the Barney Miller pilot for ABC. He also co-starred in the short lived series Chopper One for NBC, and played a small part in Dog Day Afternoon. He then landed a role in Deadly Hero with Don Murray and James Earl Jones. ABC then flew Chu Chu back to LA to reshoot the Barney Miller pilot. He moved to Los Angeles in 1975 and remained there for the rest of his acting career with a one-year stint in New York for a starring role in the NBC soap For Richer, for Poorer in 1978. On 1979 he had a small role playing Rudy in the Chuck Norris film A Force of One. His acting career includes over 20 guest starring and co-starring roles in TV episodes and several pilots.

External links

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