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Undefeated Chicago Heavyweight Mike Mollo
Signs with Don King
(APR 22) CHICAGO-Legendary promoter Don King has signed undefeated
Chicago heavyweight prospect Mike Mollo (15-0, 9 KOs) to a promotional
agreement. Mollo will make his debut under the DKP banner on May 6
against International Boxing Federation No.7-ranked DaVarryl Williamson
(22-4, 18 KOs) at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.
Mollo wants to bring some new blood to a division in desperate need of
an infusion. Under the guidance of veteran trainer Al Bonanni, Mollo has
been training at King's private compound in northeast Ohio.
"Al has me chopping wood, hitting rubber tires with a sledge hammer and
doing plenty of work with the medicine ball," Mollo said of Bonanni's
regimen. "He calls it Old School. I call it hard work. There's nothing
to
do out here in Amish country but train so I am 100% focused."
"Mike is fundamentally sound and in the best shape of his life," Bonanni
said. "Williamson had an extensive amateur career and brings a
tremendous amount of professional experience to the ring. We will not
take
Williamson's power lightly. Our plan is to knock DaVarryl out."
Already wildly popular with Chicago fight fans, Mollo used his
hard-punching, aggressive style to capture the IBF, World Boxing
Organization and World Boxing Council Latino heavyweight titles last
November before a sold out, hometown crowd. Although they are
continental titles, winning these belts is an important step toward
helping an up and coming boxer climb higher in the world ratings of the
sanctioning bodies.
Currently ranked No. 15 by the WBO, the 25-year-old Mollo knows that
beating Williamson, who is also ranked No. 10 by the WBA, is his
opportunity to
position himself to fight for a major title. With King as his promoter,
a win over Williamson places Mollo in a very promising position in the
heavyweight division.
The 6'4" Williamson poses an important step up in competition for Mollo.
Williamson has fought a number of high profile fights and most recently
dropped a 12-round decision to Chris Byrd for Byrd's IBF heavyweight
title. A do-or-die fight for Williamson, Team Mollo knows that DaVarryl
will bring
his best to the ring.
Oliver McCall and Julius Long are just two of Mollo's sparring partners
who are helping him prepare at the King Training Camp.
"Say what you want about Oliver, but he knows boxing," Mollo said. "The
man can still crack." "The Atomic Bull" knows Williamson's style well
having lost a controversial decision to him in November of 2004.
Another of Mollo's sparring partners, 7-footer Julius Long is preparing
for his own bout against Samuel Peter on April 28.
"What a jab," Mollo said. "Long's reach is ridiculous. It's really
helping me work on getting on the inside. He's helped me learn to make
my own size work to my advantage."
In addition to having the support of Don King, Mollo has gained the
support of the late, great Rocky Marciano's family.
"I understand that Mike wants to emulate Rocky both in and out of the
ring," Peter Marciano, younger brother of the "Brockton Blockbuster"
said. "The Marciano family is looking forward to welcoming Mike with
open arms to
Massachusetts. I'm planning to personally take him on a tour of Rocky's
exhibit at the Brockton Historical Society when he arrives. I know Mike
will be inspired. The Marciano family will certainly be in attendance at
the DCU Center on May 6 to lend our support."
Mollo remembers Marciano well.
"I grew up watching film 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."
With a large contingent of Mollo's extended family and friends planning
to travel to Worcester for the fight, Mollo is grateful for the support.
Italian American groups from Boston, Brockton and Providence are
organizing
charter trips to support the man that they hope will be the next great
Italian-American heavyweight champion of the world.
"I have to thank my manager Jerry Atardi and his partners in A Team
Management for believing in me and getting me this opportunity. With
Jerry's help, Al Bonanni in my corner and now being signed with the
greatest promoter, Don King, I know that with God's help, I am going to
win."
Mike Mollo resides in Oak Lawn with his fiancé and four-year-old son
Orlando.
