Mike Mollo
Mike Mollo (born February 11, 1980 in Oak Lawn, Illinois) is an American former professional boxer in the heavyweight division. A fan favorite for his aggressive style in Chicago, Mollo is perhaps best known for his bouts with Polish fighters Art Binkowski, Artur Szpilka, Andrew Golota, and Krzysztof Zimnoch. He was managed by Darnell Nicholson.
| Mike Mollo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Statistics | |
| Nickname(s) | Merciless |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Born | February 11, 1980 Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 29 |
| Wins | 21 |
| Wins by KO | 13 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 0 |
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 tuckpointer. 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]
After a second-round TKO of Art Binkowski, Mollo faced 40-year old former world title challenger Andrew Golota. Mollo lost via unanimous decision.
One of more Mollo's more high-profile matchups was his two bouts against then-undefeated and future WBC world title challenger Artur Szpilka. Despite being a heavy underdog in the first fight and not having competed for two years prior to the bout, Mollo was able to knock down Szpilka before being knocked out in the sixth round. The two faced off again six months later, with Mollo again knocking Szpilka down early in the match before being finished in the fifth round via TKO.
Three years after his second loss to Szpilka, Mollo faced another Polish fighter, Krzysztof Zimnoch. In a significant upset, Mollo knocked out the 18-0-1 Zimnoch in the first round to win the vacant Republic of Poland International Heavyweight title. From this win, Mollo earned a shot at Andriy Rudenko's WBC Silver International Heavyweight title. Mollo was defeated via unanimous decision.
Mollo then faced off against Krzysztof Zimnoch in a rematch from the year before. Mollo lost the rematch via corner stoppage.
On March 1, 2017, Mollo officially announced his retirement from professional boxing.
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]
Professional boxing record
| 29 fights, 21 wins (13 knockouts), 7 losses (4 knockouts), 1 draw[4] | ||||||||
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 29 | Loss | 21-7-1 |  |
TKO | (7) 10, 3:00 | 25 Feb 2017 | |
|
| 28 | Loss | 21-6-1 |  |
TD | (7) 12 | 6 May 2016 | |
For vacant WBC International Silver Heavyweight title. |
| 27 | Win | 21-5-1 | |
KO | 1 (10), 2:08 | 20 Feb 2016 | |
Won vacant Republic of Poland International Heavyweight title. |
| 26 | Loss | 20-5-1 | |
TKO | 5 (10), 1:41 | 13 Aug 2013 |  |
|
| 25 | Loss | 20-4-1 | |
KO | 6 (8), 2:45 | 01 Feb 2013 | |
|
| 24 | Draw | 20-3-1 | |
MD | 8 | 06 Aug 2010 | |
|
| 23 | Win | 20–3 | |
UD | 8 | 26 Mar 2010 | |
|
| 22 | Loss | 19–3 | |
UD | 12 | 07 Nov 2008 |  |
WBC Heavyweight title eliminator. |
| 21 | Loss | 19–2 | |
UD | 12 | 19 Jan 2008 | |
Lost WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight title. |
| 20 | Win | 19–1 | .svg.png){kind=small} |
TKO | 2 (10), 1:25 | 13 Oct 2007 | |
|
| 19 | Win | 18–1 | |
UD | 8 | 02 Mar 2007 | |
|
| 18 | Win | 17–1 |  |
TKO | 2 (12), 0:44 | 08 Oct 2006 | |
Won vacant WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight title. |
| 17 | Win | 16–1 | |
KO | 1 (6), 0:25 | 25 Aug 2006 | |
|
| 16 | Loss | 15–1 | |
TKO | 4 (10), 2:59 | 6 May 2006 | |
|
| 15 | Win | 15–0 |  |
KO | 6 (12), 2:48 | 04 Nov 2005 | |
Won vacant IBF, WBC & WBO Latino Heavyweight title |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | |
TKO | 1 (10), 1:31 | 13 Jul 2005 | |
|
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | |
TKO | 1 (6), 2:51 | 27 Apr 2005 | 1= |
|
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | |
UD | 4 | 15 Jun 2004 | |
|
| 11 | Win | 11–0 |  |
UD | 4 | 28 Mar 2003 | |
|
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | |
KO | 1 (4), 1:55 | 15 Mar 2003 | |
|
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | |
UD | 6 | 27 Nov 2002 | |
|
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | |
UD | 4 | 17 Nov 2002 | |
|
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | |
KO | 1 (4), 0:36 | 27 Sep 2002 | |
|
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | |
UD | 4 | 10 Aug 2002 | |
|
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | |
UD | 4 | 21 Nov 2001 | |
|
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | |
KO | 1 (4), 1:00 | 17 Oct 2001 | |
|
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | |
KO | 1 (4), 0:38 | 16 Feb 2001 | |
|
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | |
KO | 1 (4), 0:19 | 20 Aug 2000 | |
|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | |
KO | 1 (4), 2:03 | 25 Jun 2000 | |
|
References
- Profile: Mike Mollo Boxing Insider, October 7, 2006.
- McBride Stopped In Chicago Bout BBC Sport: Boxing, October 8, 2006.
- Mike Mollo Signs With DKP East Side Boxing, April 20, 2006.
- Boxing record for Mike Mollo from BoxRec