Mike Mollo and Spilza deliver magi

WHen boxing is bad, it’s bad. But when it’s good, it is better than anything else.

Adrei Spilza 1:41 of Round 5 Artur Spilza and Mike Mollo delivered a magical night of boxing on U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Against all odds, the pair somehow topped their February barnburner, which ESPN wisely chose to replay before the rematch. This is one instance where no one will complain about the sequel being a carbon copy of the first feature. This was boxing at its absolute finest.

Spilza started out effectively once again, catching Mollo from the outside and taking advantage of his reach advantage. By the 3rd round, it seemed like the Pole’s improvement had taken him past Mollo’s level. Spilza caught Mollo coming in with a right hand off the ropes, then began loading up with the left and delivering it around Mollo’s guard. Mollo was in trouble and buffeted across the ring, but never stopped trying to throw back. A short left hook thrown in desperation caught Spilza before his wider shot found home. The punch exploded on the Pole’s cheek as his eyes grew wide in astonishment; he had a moment to realize what had happened before his body gave way and he tumbled to the mat. Mollo had done it again. He had turned the fight around again with a single left hook.

Spilza rose, and Mollo unwisely allowed him to hold and recover. The Pole collapsed onto his stool