On February 23, 1970, at the age of 19, Malave, a two-time
New York Golden 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 had 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 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==