Fightnews.com® is sad to announce that our Managing Director Scott Pope, known to many in boxing as “Flattop,” has passed away after suffering a heart attack. He was 60 years of age. Flattop had one of the more colorful personalities in boxing. He joined Fightnews in 1999 and helped build Fightnews into the pioneering website for daily boxing news. He broke many major stories during his career and was known for fighting to get our writers and photographers the best spots at ringside.
His favorite place was on the phone where he often engaged in lengthy conversations. He loved to share stories of his interactions with many boxing insiders – from PR and media relations staff of major fight venues, managers, promoters and the networks. He was meticulous in crafting his emails and took great pride in doing right by his team. There will never be another like him.
One of his favorite closing lines in his emails was “See you on the other side of the ring.”
We’ll see you there big guy.
R.I.P. Flattop.
Rest Easy Flattop, I’ve enjoyed your work for many years. Condolences to your family both blood and boxing.
Oh, Karl! I am so sorry to hear this. Throughout my entire time at Fightnews, Flattop was my point of contact to arrange press credentials for the major events that would take place in the Washington, DC area. I enjoyed talking with him and I appreciated the autonomy he gave me in my area, only assisting when needed. More importantly, I enjoyed our friendly conversations we would have. I truly appreciated him and will definitely miss him.
Take care,
Gary “Digital” Williams
Flattop gave me my start in boxing. Rest In Peace. I’m sure we will argue about something again someday.
Heart disease is the #1 killer in the USA. So sad to hear of many younger people passing away from heart disease. Sixty years of age is not old and Mr. Pope had plenty of life left in him. If able, get screened every year for heart disease especially if cardiac diseases and hypertension exists within your DNA of your biological family.
Flattop, you will truly be missed. A one minute call from you lasted hours with your colorful stories and recollections. See you in heaven.
RIP Flattop….thanks to all at Fightnews.com
— Flattop one of those colorful characters the boxing always seems to find a place for.
He was my managing editor back when, and anytime he called me, I was in a marathon as he touched base in everything personal and in boxing going on in his moment.
I’ve no doubt Valhalla has spot where he can touch base with all the greats and see all them alltime matches he can gab and gush over to his refreshed heart’s content.
And condolences to his family and fight news…Bobby Mac…
Sad news indeed! I had not spoken to Flattop in over a year but in the early days of Fight News we spoke weekly. A great guy. I met him at one of Brian Halquist’s Battle of the Boat cards in Tacoma,Washington. He will be missed.
Flattop always battled tirelessly to get all of us on the Detroit Fightnews team access to venues and ringside spots. Was never a dull conversation with him especially once he got fired up! Rest easy my friend.
I am so sorry for your loss, Karl. Flattop was a big part of my life. Thanks to Flattop, I was able to meet my childhood Boxing idols, and so much more. I’m gonna miss you, Flattop. Rest in Peace..
Like he did with so many others, Flattop gave me the opportunity to live out a dream. My time with Fightnews is something that I reflect upon quite fondly and the phone conversations that I had with him stick with me to this day. RIP Flattop….you will be missed.
RIP Flattop See you on the other side of the ring in that greatest of venues…
Flattop was quite the character – spoke to him countless times over the years.
Condolences to his loved ones and the Fightnews family.
Very sad to hear this. We truly will see you on the other side, Flattop Scott. RIP.
Scott, I am very grateful for all of your hard work. You will be missed.
R.I.P. Scott Pope.
RIP Flattop…and Thanks for all you do here
I’ve logged on to fightnews.com seemingly at least once everyday for the last 20 years. It gets to where you feel like these guys regardless of never speaking. Condolences to your family and co-workers.
You are a legend and you will be greatly missed by all Flattop – rest easy my friend – Lee…..
I would love to see A picture of him! Somehow, he managed to keep off social media and Google searches. A true enigma!
Me too. Just have a picture in my head.
Just got the call. I’m saddened to hear the news. Flattop gave me my start as a boxing photographer at Fightnews back in 2002 (Damn, nearly 20 years ago. I hadn’t really thought about how long ago that was until just now.). I wouldn’t have accomplished what I did without that and I will never forget it. Thank you Flattop and Karl for giving me the opportunity. RIP
What a terrible piece of news..to hear that Fightnews Editor Scott “Flat Top” Pope has passed away from a heart attack..
He was a cornerstone in the Boxing editorial circle!.
He will be greatly missed!
Our condolences to his and the Fightnews Family.
Sad News Indeed. R.I.P.
He took the time to learn about you. Often when talking he would ask about my son or other stuff I did for Boxing. He had a roadmap to the people behind the scenes like I have never ever seen. Could tell you where they got their start. He pushed for a local club show to be covered as professionally as a major PPV. And that’s what I would love to remember him for. That all bouts mattered.
I’m so sorry to hear this. We butted heads sometimes, had mild disagreements often and fantastic conversations (not just about boxing) even more. He fought for what he thought was right and for his people. I’m sorry we never met in person but will always remember the many many phone calls.
So sorry to hear “Flattop” always took time to chat with me. Rest In Peace my Brother.
RIP Flattop.
I Will always owe you and Karl a debt of gratitude.
Take Care
Flattop welcomed me to Fightnews as a photographer for several years. RIP Flattop.
Oh Flattop! For as many disagreements as we’ve had over the last 20 years, I’ll definitely miss your presence.
It is so true that there was no such thing as a short phone conversation with you. We would talk about everything from boxing to cats, movies, bodybuilding and so much more.
You often had to explain your written sense of humor to me, as I didn’t quite “get it.” Nor did you get mine for that matter!
No matter at what venue I was covering fights, the media relations people would evoke your name as soon as I said I was from Fightnews. You definitely left an impression with anyone to whom you ever spoke.
Hopefully, you’ll finally have all the contact information I’ve given you at least ten times each for Mauricio and Gilberto, stored where you won’t lose it again!
You definitely fell under the category of, “Love me or hate me, you can’t ignore me!” So true, nor will we forget you. See you on the other side of the ring big guy…
Rest in Peace Scott. Sorry to hear this Fightnews. He must have been a key worker to making such a great site as this.
So sad to read the news yesterday that Flattop passed away. i have been writing for Fightnews for more than a decade & Flattop was the guy who handled our credentials & ensured I had optimal seating at every show. as anyone that knew him, he was a talker and could keep you on the phone forever so you had to have a big window available to chat ♂️ but he cared about you and would always ask about my wife and my pups and loved to tell stories about his cat never met him live or even know what he looks like but I have a picture of him in my head, yet knew him well. he was certainly a unique character & perfect for boxing, which was his life, although you could talk about anything w him. although he could be challenging at times to work with as he was set in his ways, overall he was a good dude & cared about the writers, photographers that supported Fightnews,.. last we spoke was at the beginning of the pandemic as boxing, like all sports went dark. thanks for everything Flattop over the years as u will certainly be missed & may you Rest In Peace
The world of boxing loss a great one. In 2002 he gave the opportunity to write for fightnews covering the fight cards in San Diego and Tijuana. What an experience; I got to see live boxing events broadcasted in hbo, sho, fox, etc. I loved writing for him; he made possible for me to see and learned boxing from the tv production stand point. Thanks for all you did for this humble boxing fan. God bless you.
Meeting Flattop opened so many doors for me in the combat sports arena. Rest easy my friend.