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10/10/2006 Archived Entry: "Mollo Stops McBride, Campbell Decisions Zegan in Undercard to Valuev-Barrett!"
Mollo Stops McBride, Campbell Decisions Zegan in Undercard to Valuev-Barrett!
By Ben Torres at ringside
Photos by Juan C. Ayllon
Mike Mollo hugs a friend in celebration as his significant other looks on
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Native Chicagoan 26 year old Mike Mollo, 17-1, 11 KO's, set the arena on fire and completely destroyed Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin McBride. McBride was the heavily favored fighter coming into this fight with a 47 pound weight advantage, 5 inch height advantage, 2 inch reach advantage and a record of 34-4-1. With that said McBride weighed in at a near-career-high of a soft 278 pounds.
Mollo was ripped and muscular, and ready to go at the Irish born fighter from the opening bell. Two minutes into the first stanza the pit bull from Chicago rocked McBride with a vicious left, right, left combination to the head and body. Down went McBride. Referee Geno Rodriguez administered a standing eight after which Mollo went right back on the attack sending McBride staggering back to his corner after the bell.
McBride (left) and Mollo square off
Mollo of Italian descent started the second round sending McBride crashing to the canvas again 20 seconds into round two. Following another standing-eight count, Mollo connected again with quick combinations before landing the coup de grace, a beautiful left hook which sent McBride reeling across the ropes. The referee took one look at McBride and waived the fight off sending the arena into frenzy.
With the exception of McBride, Mollo has only ever been tested once, against power punching DaVarryl Williamson (23-4, 19 KO's), who beat him easily by 4th-round knockout. All of Mollo's other fights have been against very softer opposition.
With that said, if he improves his technique and throws straighter punches, keeps his chin down, and employs a little movement, he could be an even more exciting fighter. The kid has fast hands, good power and could be seriously developed into a legitimate fan friendly contender.
Campbell vs Zegan
All State Arena in Rosemont, IL was ringing with the cheers of the huge Polish crowd for Matt Zegan, 37-2 (21 KOs). As he entered the arena Nate Campbell, the Galaxy Warrior, knew he had to silence the crowd and establish control early in the fight.
Campbell from Jacksonville, Florida established his jab and lateral movement from the opening bell and floored the Wroclaw, Poland native with a beautiful right hand in the first 20 seconds of the opening round. This set the tone for the rest of the fight. Campbell boxed beautifully knowing that this was an IBF lightweight title eliminator and much needed win.
The Warrior kept Zegan off balance for the entire fight by utilizing good lateral movement, work to the body, and combination punching. Zegan showed a tremendous amount of heart rising from the canvas again after being floored in the 6th from a body shot. With blood flowing from a cut over his right eye, Zegan amazingly pressed forward but it was not enough.
Campbell ran away with the fight with scores of 120-106, 119-109 and 119-107. Trainer and former world champion John David Jackson mentioned that Campbell now 29-5-1 (23 KOs), may have suffered a broken bone in his right hand during the 10th round.
The Florida fighter now becomes the mandatory challenger to IBF titlist Jesus Chavez in a much needed career boost for him.
Turner (left) and Estrada square off
Turner vs. Estrada
In a battle of Chicago middleweights Louis Turner and David ‘The Weezel” Estrada put on an exciting six round battle. Estrada was taking the fight on short notice, having fought the previous weekend.
Turner, 7-0 (5 KOs) was able to move the lankier Estrada back with jab in the early going. However when he jabbed and forced Turner to move back wards, the Weezel was much more effective and landed the sharper punches. Turner’s straight forward “bad intentions” style was countered effectively by Estrada when he pressed the action.
It seemed as though last weeks fight took something out of Estrada who has looked sharper and more consistent in the past.
Turner took home a unanimous decision win by scores of 59-55 (twice) and 58-56.
Estrada falls to 10-9 with 7 KOs.
Estrada (left) and Turner after their bout
Holmes vs. Cummings
Former two time middleweight champion Keith Holmes won a questionable majority decision over power hitter Corey Cummings of Baltimore, Maryland in a light heavyweight ten rounder. Holmes dominated the early rounds with good movement and a solid jab, but Cummings began to rough Holmes up on the inside and was landing some wicked left hooks and overhand rights rocking Holmes on several occasions.
Unbelievably, scores were 99-91, 97-93 and 98-92.
With the win, Holmes moves to 39-4 (24 KOs) while the game Cummings goes home with a record of 15-2 (12 KOs).
I think the judges scored it for name recognition as most in the arena booed the decision and believed, as this writer does, that Cummings won the bout ( 6 rounds to 4) with power punching and effective inside fighting.
Agnes Adjaho of Cotonou, Benin moved his record to 13-0 (8 KOs) with a spirited six round majority decision win over Los Angeles native Edgar Vargas, 9-3 (1 KO) in a six round featherweight bout. Scores were 59-55, 58-58 for Adjaho and one judge scoring it 57-57 even.
Mollo and his significant other pose for the camera
Estrada (foreground) holds a bag of ice to his head, while
another boxer waits for his call
