Kevin McBride devastated by Mollo,
where to go from here?
October 8th, 2006 - by Tomás Rohan
Kevin McBride's hopes of shot at the world heavyweight title evaporated in Chicago last night following a devastating second round stoppage at the hands of the unheralded Mike Mollo.
Mike Tyson's conqueror had hoped that a win over Mollo (with the lightly regarded WBA fedelatin title on the line) would hand him a top 15 ranking with the WBA and put him line for a shot at WBA champ Nicolay Valuev. The "Beast from the East" topped the bill at the Allstate Arena last night successfully defending his belt with an eleventh round stoppage of Monte Barrett.
McBride's prospects of being next in line for Valuev's title nose dived right from the first bell with Mollo showing little or no respect for the much bigger Irishman. The 26-year-old Illinois native entered the ring with a record of 16 wins and 1 loss which although statistically impressive had been compiled against club fighters and journeymen. (However it should be noted that aside from his shock win over Tyson the same accusation could be levelled at McBride.)
The only common opponent between both men was fringe contender DaVarryl Williamson who had recorded stoppage victories over both Mollo and McBride. Despite this McBride and his camp were confident that Mollo would not get in the way of their long awaited world title fight although it should be noted that Dan Horgan, a contributor to this site had predicted that Mollo would make short work of the "Clones Colussus."
Mollo had spent the early part of the opening round softening up the 278 pound McBride landing frequently to the mid section before a series of clubbing right hands floored the Boston based Monaghan man along the ropes.
McBride looked more embarrassed than hurt and offered a wry smile as referee Genaro Rodriquez waved him back into action.
Any hope that the nightmare first round would merely serve as a wake up call to stir McBride into action went out the window early in the second when he found himself on the floor for a second time. Once again McBride offered an embarrassed, almost bemused smile but it was becoming clear that his world title aspirations were on their last legs.
Sensing the finish Mollo followed up with another two fisted attack sending McBride reeling backwards before flooring him for the third and final time with a heavy left hook. Referee Rodriquez didn't even bother with the count even though McBride clambered quickly to his feet but offered little in the way of protest at the stoppage.
Instead he trouped back to his corner leaving behind his world title dreams and a substantial payday.
McBride's promoter Don King didn't seem overly concerned at the Irishman's defeat rushing to embrace the victory and waving an American and Italian flag in honour of Mollo's heritage. Judging by the uproarious laughter from the shock haired promoter in the ring it's unlikely he'll lose too much sleep over McBride's demise.
Truly this was an awful, awful performance by McBride. There is no other way of dressing it up. He looked like a man who simply didn't want to be there ironically enough in the same way that Mike Tyson clearly did not want to be in the ring with him on that shocking night in Washington on June 3 months ago. McBride folded from the kind of shots last night that had caused him to simply grit his teeth and fight on against "Iron Mike" but last night they sent him tumbling to the canvas.
Take nothing away from Mollo who did what he had to do and much to Don King's delight looks like a fighter who can shift tickets in the Chicago area. He can move on to a bigger fight but where too now for Kevin McBride?
Time will tell but it seems a long, lonely road back to anything like world title contention from here. Wherever that road takes him we wish Kevin well as despite some of his tongue in cheek statements about taking on both Klitschko's in the same night he is the epitome of the quiet, modest, gentle giant.
October 8th, 2006 - by Tomás Rohan
Kevin McBride's hopes of shot at the world heavyweight title evaporated in Chicago last night following a devastating second round stoppage at the hands of the unheralded Mike Mollo.
Mike Tyson's conqueror had hoped that a win over Mollo (with the lightly regarded WBA fedelatin title on the line) would hand him a top 15 ranking with the WBA and put him line for a shot at WBA champ Nicolay Valuev. The "Beast from the East" topped the bill at the Allstate Arena last night successfully defending his belt with an eleventh round stoppage of Monte Barrett.
McBride's prospects of being next in line for Valuev's title nose dived right from the first bell with Mollo showing little or no respect for the much bigger Irishman. The 26-year-old Illinois native entered the ring with a record of 16 wins and 1 loss which although statistically impressive had been compiled against club fighters and journeymen. (However it should be noted that aside from his shock win over Tyson the same accusation could be levelled at McBride.)
The only common opponent between both men was fringe contender DaVarryl Williamson who had recorded stoppage victories over both Mollo and McBride. Despite this McBride and his camp were confident that Mollo would not get in the way of their long awaited world title fight although it should be noted that Dan Horgan, a contributor to this site had predicted that Mollo would make short work of the "Clones Colussus."
Mollo had spent the early part of the opening round softening up the 278 pound McBride landing frequently to the mid section before a series of clubbing right hands floored the Boston based Monaghan man along the ropes.
McBride looked more embarrassed than hurt and offered a wry smile as referee Genaro Rodriquez waved him back into action.
Any hope that the nightmare first round would merely serve as a wake up call to stir McBride into action went out the window early in the second when he found himself on the floor for a second time. Once again McBride offered an embarrassed, almost bemused smile but it was becoming clear that his world title aspirations were on their last legs.
Sensing the finish Mollo followed up with another two fisted attack sending McBride reeling backwards before flooring him for the third and final time with a heavy left hook. Referee Rodriquez didn't even bother with the count even though McBride clambered quickly to his feet but offered little in the way of protest at the stoppage.
Instead he trouped back to his corner leaving behind his world title dreams and a substantial payday.
McBride's promoter Don King didn't seem overly concerned at the Irishman's defeat rushing to embrace the victory and waving an American and Italian flag in honour of Mollo's heritage. Judging by the uproarious laughter from the shock haired promoter in the ring it's unlikely he'll lose too much sleep over McBride's demise.
Truly this was an awful, awful performance by McBride. There is no other way of dressing it up. He looked like a man who simply didn't want to be there ironically enough in the same way that Mike Tyson clearly did not want to be in the ring with him on that shocking night in Washington on June 3 months ago. McBride folded from the kind of shots last night that had caused him to simply grit his teeth and fight on against "Iron Mike" but last night they sent him tumbling to the canvas.
Take nothing away from Mollo who did what he had to do and much to Don King's delight looks like a fighter who can shift tickets in the Chicago area. He can move on to a bigger fight but where too now for Kevin McBride?
Time will tell but it seems a long, lonely road back to anything like world title contention from here. Wherever that road takes him we wish Kevin well as despite some of his tongue in cheek statements about taking on both Klitschko's in the same night he is the epitome of the quiet, modest, gentle giant.
Posts
