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. 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 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. 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, Massachusetts 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. Malave beat out Erik Estrada for the role of "Ramon Santos" in the Barney Miller pilot for American Broadcasting Company. He also co-starred in the short lived series Chopper One for National Broadcasting Company, and played a small part in Dog Day Afternoon. He then landed a role in Deadly Hero with Don Murray and James Earl Jones.
American Broadcasting Company then flew Chu Chu back to Los Angeles 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 National Broadcasting Company soap Foreign Richer, for Poorer in 1978. His acting career includes over 20 guest starring and co-starring roles in television episodes and several pilots.
