Presenter Kate Scott is teaming up with Thierry Henry to co-host the Ballon d'Or in London tonight. Formerly known as Kate Abdo, she is married to retired heavyweight boxer and trainer Malik Scott. During CBS Sports Champions League coverage on September 17, 2024, Kate announced she was adopting her husband's last name, stating on air: "Last name, Abdo. It has to go. We're going to do this. S-C-O-T-T. Kate Scott."
Who is Kate Abdo's husband Malik Scott?
Malik Scott is a 46-year-old former heavyweight boxer originating from Philadelphia who currently works as a trainer. Starting his professional career in 2000, he finished with a record of 38 wins, three losses, and one draw by the time he retired in 2016, with 13 of those victories coming via knockout. Derek Chisora, former world champion Deontay Wilder, and Cuban boxer Luis Ortiz handed him his three career defeats. Malik later transitioned to coaching Wilder, working in his corner for the 2021 trilogy bout against Tyson Fury that resulted in an 11th-round knockout defeat for the American. Their professional relationship concluded in 2025 when Wilder hired Don House as his new trainer instead. Malik also coached Kate in boxing, though he stated he no longer wishes for her to compete in the sport.
In July 2025, he told Thunderpick: "I've been in love with Kate the last few years, and the love has got deeper and deeper and deeper, and at one time Kate boxing was something I was entertaining. But I'm so crazy about this woman that I would never want to see her box right now. I was deeply in love with her before, and was sketchy and nervous about it, and now I just can't even imagine it. I'm cool with just training my wife on pads. We were looking at fights together, but I never want to see her box. I wouldn't say I persuaded her but my energy speaks for itself. It's not something that I bring up. It's not something that I entertain."
When did Kate Abdo and Malik Scott get married?
The couple got married in September 2024 on a candlelit helipad next to a mansion overlooking the ocean in Malibu. Only the children of Malik attended the ceremony, and the newlyweds enjoyed a meal prepared by a private chef at the location. Kate wore a white dress with off-the-shoulder straps, while Malik chose a black patterned suit. She mentioned to the Ringer afterward: "We changed into our pyjamas. We danced, ate, and laughed all night long." Kate also organized a wedding cake that was custom made to look like the boxing ring located at Malik's childhood gym in North Philadelphia.
How did Kate Abdo and Malik Scott meet?
They first crossed paths in 2021 at a Wilder versus Fury boxing match that she was reporting on. Kate subsequently invited Malik as a guest on her boxing podcast, and the two started sending messages to each other on Instagram. They made their relationship public on Instagram in April 2023 after she shared a picture of him kissing her cheek. Upon discovering that she was taking boxing lessons, Malik offered to train her after her former coach relocated. Kate initially felt hesitant about training with someone of his high level of experience, but she eventually met him at the gym. Their mutual passion for boxing helped transition their friendship into romance.
