# Mike Mollo

Mike Mollo (born February 11, 1980) is an American former professional boxer. 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.

## 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.

## 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.
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 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."

## Personal life

Mollo is married with children and resides in the Chicago, South Suburbs, Illinois area. He currently works in a variety of jobs, including running a boxing course and gym.

## Professional boxing record

29 fights, 21 wins (13 knockouts), 7 losses (4 knockouts), 1 draw :
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 29 | Loss | 21-7-1 | Krzysztof Zimnoch | TKO | (7) 10, 3:00 | 25 Feb 2017 | Azoty Arena, Szczecin | |
| 28 | Loss | 21-6-1 | Andriy Rudenko | TD | (7) 12 | 6 May 2016 | Ministerium, Odessa | For vacant WBC International Silver Heavyweight title. |
| 27 | Win | 21-5-1 | Krzysztof Zimnoch | KO | 1 (10), 2:08 | 20 Feb 2016 | Arena Hall, Legionowo | Won vacant Republic of Poland International Heavyweight title. |
| 26 | Loss | 20-5-1 | Artur Szpilka | TKO | 5 (10), 1:41 | 13 Aug 2013 | U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois | |
| 25 | Loss | 20-4-1 | Artur Szpilka | KO | 6 (8), 2:45 | 01 Feb 2013 | UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois | |
| 24 | Draw | 20-3-1 | Gary Gomez | MD | 8 | 06 Aug 2010 | UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois | |
| 23 | Win | 20–3 | Billy Zumbrun | UD | 8 | 26 Mar 2010 | UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois | |
| 22 | Loss | 19–3 | Jameel McCline | UD | 12 | 07 Nov 2008 | Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu | |
| 21 | Loss | 19–2 | Andrew Golota | UD | 12 | 19 Jan 2008 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York | Lost WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight title. |
| 20 | Win | 19–1 | Art Binkowski | TKO | 2 (10), 1:25 | 13 Oct 2007 | Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, Illinois | |
| 19 | Win | 18–1 | Zack Page | UD | 8 | 02 Mar 2007 | Belterra Casino Resort, Belterra, Indiana | |
| 18 | Win | 17–1 | Kevin McBride | TKO | 2 (12), 0:44 | 08 Oct 2006 | Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois | Won vacant WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight title. |
| 17 | Win | 16–1 | Willie Walker | KO | 1 (6), 0:25 | 25 Aug 2006 | Aragon Ballroom 1106 W Lawrence, Chicago, Illinois | |
| 16 | Loss | 15–1 | DaVarryl Williamson | TKO | 4 (10), 2:59 | 6 May 2006 | DCU Center, Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Rogerio Lobo | KO | 6 (12), 2:48 | 04 Nov 2005 | Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois | Won vacant IBF, WBC & WBO Latino Heavyweight title |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Troy Weida | TKO | 1 (10), 1:31 | 13 Jul 2005 | Majestic Star Casino, Gary, Indiana | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Shawn Robinson | TKO | 1 (6), 2:51 | 27 Apr 2005 | Italian Sports Hall of Fame, Chicago, Illinois | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Eric French | UD | 4 | 15 Jun 2004 | The Belvedere, Elk Grove Village, Illinois | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Siarhei Dychkou | UD | 4 | 28 Mar 2003 | Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Brian McIntyre | KO | 1 (4), 1:55 | 15 Mar 2003 | UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Jessie Tucker | UD | 6 | 27 Nov 2002 | Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Marcelo Aravena | UD | 4 | 17 Nov 2002 | Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Louis Parker | KO | 1 (4), 0:36 | 27 Sep 2002 | Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | John Clark | UD | 4 | 10 Aug 2002 | Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Donnie Penelton | UD | 4 | 21 Nov 2001 | Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Nathan Crawford | KO | 1 (4), 1:00 | 17 Oct 2001 | Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Calvin Miller | KO | 1 (4), 0:38 | 16 Feb 2001 | DePaul Alumni Hall, Chicago, Illinois | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Joe Helton | KO | 1 (4), 0:19 | 20 Aug 2000 | Casino Queen, East Saint Louis, Illinois | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Terrence Coffin | KO | 1 (4), 2:03 | 25 Jun 2000 | Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin, Illinois | |