 Malinga held several championship titles during a twenty-year career as a middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight, fighting memorable bouts against Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Roy Jones, Jr., among others.In 1989 he got his first shot at a title, taking on undefeated IBF super middleweight title holder Graciano Rocchigiani.Malinga lost a decision, and the next year took on Lindell Holmes, again for the IBF super middleweight title.