CHICAGO, IL (March 10, 2010) Heavyweight contender Mike Mollo returns to action in his hometown of Chicago for the first time in two and half years to battle veteran Billy Zumbrun in the main event at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 9 on Friday, March 26th at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.
WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 9 is presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Training for most of the winter months in West Palm Beach, Florida, Mollo, 19-3-1 (12KO’s), is thrilled to be fighting in Chicago again and has a new team behind him that has given him a new attitude towards his goal, winning a world championship.
“It’s been like a breath of fresh air. My new team, manager Ed Gersh and trainers, Pete Brodsky and Dave Lewter are great to have on my side. I’ve been training in West Palm Beach for the last five months and I’m in the best shape of my life, physically and mentally” said Mollo.
Chicago has been the home to two of Mollo’s biggest victories in recent years, a brutal second round stoppage of Art Binkowski on October 13, 2007 at the Sears Center and a second round knockout of Kevin McBride on October 7, 2006 at the Allstate Arena.
Continued Mollo, “I love fighting in Chicago, I know there’s going to be a crowd of supporters for me. It’s been too long since I’ve fought at home and I can’t wait until March 26th.”
Against Zumbrun, Mollo will be facing a ten year professional who has amassed a record of 23-11-1 (13KO’s). The native of Ogden, Utah, has faced numerous heavyweight contenders and went the distance in a ten round battle with former world champion Riddick Bowe in 2005, losing a hard fought split decision.
About Zumbrun, Mollo stated, ‘He’s a very tough veteran but I’m so well prepared that I’d be big trouble for any heavyweight in the world on March 26th.
Other Chicagoland fan favorites featured at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 9 are cruiserweight contender Jason Robinson and newcomers; heavyweight David Latoria, junior welterweight Adrian Granados, featherweight William Hernandez, bantamweight Sergio Cristobal and Polish heavyweight Krzystof Zimnoch.
Advance tickets starting at $31 are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions’ Office (312-226-5800).
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com. The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events.
8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia, opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
For more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxing.com
Boxing 360 inks Heavyweight Mike Mollo
NEW YORK (Mar. 19, 2010) – Chicago heavyweight Mike Mollo (19-3, 12 KOs) has signed an exclusive promotional contract with Boxing 360, it was announced today by the New York City-based company.
The 30-year-old Mollo’s most notable victories to date have been against former Olympians, Mike Tyson-conqueror and former Irish heavyweight champion Kevin McBride (TKO2), and Canadian Art Binkowski. Mollo has also extended multiple world title challengers Andrew Golota and Jameel McCline the full 12-round distances, respectively, in their WBA Fedelatin and WBC Eliminator fights.
“We’re excited to add Mike Mollo to our growing Boxing 360 stable of world-class fighters,” Director of Boxing Operations Bob Duffy said. “Mike has been training with Pete Brodsky for the past few months and he looks like an entirely different fighter. Mike gives people what they want – knockouts – but he’s becoming a much more complete fighter. He is a popular Italian-American fighter with a lot of upside. The heavyweight division is wide open right now and we’re expecting big things from Mike.”
Molllo’s Boxing 360 debut, as well as his first fight since November, 2008, is scheduled for March 26 against veteran Billy Zumbrun (23-11-1) at UIC Pavilion in Chicago.
“Boxing 360 is a new company that offered me a contract that was exactly the same deal I was looking for to get back in business,” Mollos said from his Palm Beach training camp. “They want to move me right and keep me busy. That’s what I want. Everything made sense for me to sign with Boxing 360 and make my comeback. I wasn’t handled well in the past and I made some bad decisions. Now, I have en entirely new team from top to bottom. I’m going to get a few wins and be right back in the heavyweight picture.
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring March 26th and it’s always great fighting at home. I know there’s going to be a packed house there rooting for me.”