Mike Mollo

Mike Mollo (born February 11, 1980 in Oak Lawn, Illinois) is a professional boxer in the heavyweight division, born in the United States.

Background

Born into a working class Italian family in Chicago's south suburbs, Mollo got into numerous scuffles on the streets of his neighborhood. Already 230 pounds as a 14-year-old, he was quickly taken to the local boxing club to hone his skills, and apply his energy in a more constructive manner.^[1]

Professional career

After a brief amateur career, "Merciless" Mike Mollo made his professional debut on June 25, 2000, scoring a first-round knockout over Terry Coffin in Elgin, Illinois. Over the following years, Mollo built his professional record while also working full time as a bricklayer and tuck pointer. Wildly popular with Chicago fight fans, Mollo used his hard-punching, aggressive style to win 19 of his first 20 professional bouts. His first loss was to heavyweight contender DaVarryl Williamson. On October 7, 2006, Mollo scored his biggest win, knocking out Kevin McBride (best known for defeating Mike Tyson) by a TKO 30 seconds into the second round.^[2]

Influences

Early in his career, Mollo gained the support of Rocky Marciano’s family. “I understand that Mike wants to emulate Rocky both in and out of the ring”, noted Peter Marciano, younger brother of the “Brockton Blockbuster”. Mollo remembers Marciano well. “I grew up watching fight films of Rocky Marciano. Both of our families came from Naples, Italy, so Rocky was a hero to my family. My strength and conditioning coach Joe Wright gave me a rare book written by Rocky called 'The Use of the Body'. Joe found this book in 1967 while he was somewhere in England. I’ve been reading it and it’s a masterpiece.” Mollo continued, “I can’t be Rocky, but I’m truly honored to have the support of the Marciano family. I hope to make them proud.”^[3]

Mollo is married with children and resides in the Chicago, Illinois area.

Life with Boxing360

Mollo currently is signed with Boxing360,^[4] a New York-based promotional firm founded in 2009 by Mario Yagobi. Mollo seems to be suffering under Boxing360, he is not fought since 2010, the fast rising heavyweight's career has stalled dramatically.

Professional boxing record

20 Wins (12 knockouts, 8 decisions), 4 Losses (2 knockouts, 2 decisions), 1 Draw
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	20-5-1	Artur Szpilka	KO	5	16/08/2013	U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	20-4-1	Artur Szpilka	KO	6	01/02/2013	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Draw	20-3-1	Gary Gomez	MD	8	06/08/2010	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	20–3	Billy Zumbrun	UD	8	26/03/2010	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	19–3	Jameel McCline	UD	12	07/11/2008	Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, China	WBC Heavyweight title eliminator.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	19–2	Andrew Golota	UD	12	19/01/2008	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Lost WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	19–1	Art Binkowski	TKO	2 (10)	13/10/2007	Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	18–1	Zack Page	UD	8	13/10/2007	Belterra Casino Resort, Belterra, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	17–1	Kevin McBride	TKO	2 (12)	07/10/2006	Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois, United States	Won vacant WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight title. McBride took a standing 8 count in the 1st rd and was down twice in the 2nd.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	16–1	Willie Walker	KO	1 (6)	25/08/2006	Aragon Ballroom 1106 W Lawrence, Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	15–1	DaVarryl Williamson	TKO	4 (10)	06/05/2006	DCU Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	15–0	Rogerio Lobo	KO	6 (12)	04/11/2005	Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, United States	Won vacant IBF, WBC & WBO Latino Heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	14–0	Troy Weida	TKO	1 (10)	13/07/2005	Majestic Star Casino, Gary, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	13–0	Shawn Robinson	TKO	1 (6)	27/04/2005	Italian Sports Hall of Fame|, Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	12–0	Eric French	UD	4	15/06/2004	The Belvedere, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, United States	French had a point taken in round 4 for holding.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	11–0	Siarhei Dychkou	UD	4	24/03/2003	Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	10–0	Brian McIntyre	KO	1 (4)	15/03/2003	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	9–0	Jessie Tucker	UD	6	27/11/2002	Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	8–0	Marcelo Aravena	UD	4	17/11/2002	Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	7–0	Louis Parker	KO	1 (4)	27/09/2002	Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	6–0	John Clark	UD	4	10/08/2002	Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	5–0	Donnie Penelton	UD	4	21/11/2001	Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	4–0	Nathan Crawford	KO	1 (4)	17/10/2001	Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	3–0	Calvin Miller	KO	1 (4)	16/02/2001	DePaul Alumni Hall, Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	2–0	Joe Helton	KO	1 (4)	20/08/2000	Casino Queen, East Saint Louis, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	1–0	Terrence Coffin	KO	1 (4)	25/06/2000	Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin, Illinois, United States

References

1. ↑ Profile: Mike Mollo Boxing Insider, October 7, 2006.
2. ↑ McBride Stopped In Chicago Bout BBC Sport: Boxing, October 8, 2006.
3. ↑ Mike Mollo Signs With DKP East Side Boxing, April 20, 2006.
4. ↑ http://www.boxing360.com/fighters/mike_mollo.php Boxing360

External links

• Interview