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04/19/2006 Archived Entry: "Chicago Hwt. Prospect Mike Mollo vs. Davarryl Williamson May 6th!"
Chicago Hwt. Prospect Mike Mollo vs. Davarryl Williamson May 6th!
By Ron 'Ronnie' Kelpsas
Courtesy of http://www.mrchiloop.com/
Photo by Juan C. Ayllon
BOXING Legendary promoter Don King has signed undeafeted heavyweight prospect Mike Mollo (15-0,9KO's) of Oak Lawn to a promotional agreement. Mollo makes his debut under the DKP Banner on Saturday, May 6th against #7 IBF rated power punching Davarryl Williamson (22-4, 18KO's) at tthe DCU Center in Worcester, Ma.
Mollo looks to bring some new blood to a division in desperate need of an infusion. Under the guidance of Al Bonanni, Mollo is training at King's private compound in Northwest Ohio. "Al has me chopping wood, hitting rubber tires with a sledge hammer and doing plenty of work with the medicine ball," Mollo explained. "Were doing this camp 'old school." There's nothing to do out here in Amish country but train, so I am 100% focused."
"Mike is fundamentallty sound and in the best shape of his life," Bonanni said. "Williamson had an extensive amatuer career and brings a tremndous amount of professional experience to the ring. We won't take Willianson's power lightly. But our plan is to knock Davarryl out."
Already wildly popular with Chicago fight fans, Mollo used his hand hard punching, aggressive style to capture the WBO, IBF and WBC Latino heavyweight titles last November before a sold out, hometown Chicagoland crowd. Although they are minor titles, winning these belts is an imporatant step toward helping a fighter climb the ratings of the sanctionning bodies.
Currently rated #15 by the WBO, the 25 year-old Mollo knows that beating Williamson, rated #7 bt the IBF and #10 by the WBA, is an opportuinty to further climb the ratings and position himself to fight for a major title. Now, with Don King as his promoter, a win over Williamson will place Mollo in a very promising position in the heavyweight division.
Williamson poses an important step up in competition for Mollo. The 6'4" 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. This is a do-or-die fight for Williamson and Team Mollo knows that Williamson will bring his best to the ring.
Oliver McCall and Julius Long are just two of Mollo's sparring partners who are helping Mollo prepare at Camp King. "Say what you want about Oliver, but he knows boxing, "Mollo said. "The man can still crack. Oliver "The Atomic Bull" McCall knows Williamson's style well having lost a controversial decision to Williamson in November of 2004.
Another of Mollo's sparring partners, seven footer Julius Long, is preparing for his own bout to be televised on ESPN2 on April 28th against Samuel Peter "What a jab," Mollo sasid. "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," commented Peter Marciano, younger brother of the "Brockton Blockbuster." The Marciano family is looking forward to welcoming Mike with open arms to Massachsetts. I'm planning to personally take him on 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 attenance at The DCU Center to lend our support."
"I grew up watching film of Rocky Marciano," Mollo says. "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 am 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 fans planning to travel to Worsester for the fight, Mollo is grateful for the support. Italian American groups from Broston, Brockton, and Providence are organizing group 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 A Team Management for believing in me and getting me this opportuinty. 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 fiance and four-year old son Orlando.
