Mike Mollo (born February 11, 1980 in Oak Lawn, Illinois) is a professional boxer in the heavyweight division, born in the United States. Born into a working class Italian family in Chicago's south suburbs, Mollo got into numerous scuffles on the streets of his neighborhood. Already 230 pounds as a 14-year-old, he was quickly taken to the local boxing club to hone his skills, and apply his energy in a more constructive manner.

After a brief amateur career, "Merciless" Mike Mollo made his professional debut on June 25, 2000, scoring a first-round knockout over Terry Coffin in Elgin, Illinois. Over the following years, Mollo built his professional record while also working full time as a bricklayer and tuck pointer. Wildly popular with Chicago fight fans, Mollo used his hard-punching, aggressive style to win 19 of his first 20 professional bouts. His first loss was to heavyweight contender DaVarryl Williamson. On October 7, 2006, Mollo scored his biggest win, knocking out Kevin McBride (best known for defeating Mike Tyson) by a TKO 30 seconds into the second round.

Early in his career, Mollo gained the support of Rocky Marciano’s family. “I understand that Mike wants to emulate Rocky both in and out of the ring”, noted Peter Marciano, younger brother of the “Brockton Blockbuster”. Mollo remembers Marciano well. “I grew up watching fight films of Rocky Marciano. 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’m truly honored to have the support of the Marciano family. I hope to make them proud.”

David Estrada is a Chicago based American welterweight contender of Guatemalan and Mexican descent. Estrada began his amateur career in his native Chicago winning the Chicago Park District Championship in 1993, the Police Athletic League Nationals in 1997 and the Texas State Golden Gloves in 1998. By the time he turned pro Estrada had earned the number seven national ranking and amassed an amateur record of 50-10 with 13 KOs.  

As a pro, Estrada has had a successful, if up and down, career. His rough and tumble style of volume punching, solid technique and a tenacity you can only be born with has made him a tough out for anyone. Estrada began his pro career 15-0 with 7 KOs but ran into a roadblock when he met then undefeated and rising welterweight contender Ishe Smith in 2003. Estrada dropped a unanimous decision but moved on to quickly.  He put together a string of three wins culminating in an impressive eleventh round stoppage of Chris "The Mechanic" Smith in 2005 that set up Estrada's biggest fight yet against "Sugar" Shane Mosley. Estrada showed his class and toughness in taking Mosley to the ten round limit and having much success during the fight despite dropping a unanimous decision.  

Estrada would return the following year against Kermit Cintron and while this fight would mark the first time Estrada would be stopped, the fight itself became an instant classic. Estrada pressed the action early and often and took Cintron to the edge of defeat until a late rally by Cintron overtook him and the bout was stopped in the eighth round. Days after the bout, ESPN, which aired the bout, immediately added Estrada-Cintron to its ESPN Classic fights cannon.  Estrada put together another three win string and the exciting fighter was rewarded with a bout against current WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (at the time Berto was a rising contender) in a WBC and IBF title eliminator. The bout marked Estrada's first time down but he got up and fought gamely against Berto until the bout was stopped in the eleventh. 

On April 10, 2010, Estrada scored the biggest win of his career and the most impressive when he stopped Orlando Lora (26-0 with 18 KOs at the time) over eight brutally efficient rounds to secure a top ten ranking. Estrada's best days are yet to come.

Bio coming soon, please stay tuned.

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Hector Manuel Saldaña joined ESDC in November of 2005, upon joining the organization, Mr. Saldaña has been involved in all aspects of the organizations scope of work, from simple housing issues to helping with growth of the Industrial Corridor, and finally executing his main task of assisting small businesses in the 25th Ward as ESDC’s Commercial Development Director. Mr. Saldaña has added to his responsibilities and maintains local economic growth by becoming the main operations manager for the Centro 18 Local Hiring program, which is being implemented in partnership with HACIA (Hispanic American Construction Industry Association). 

Mr. Saldaña is committed to economic growth in the 25th Ward especially the Pilsen neighborhood and therefore is a member of the Imigable Community Task Force overseen by the Pilsen Planning Committee. Before joining the ESDC organization, Mr. Saldaña worked at the Chicago Board of Trade for 5 years as an open outcry clerk in the Bond Option, Fed Fund Option, and 30yr Bond Futures pits. He has an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences and is currently working on obtaining his Bachelors in Urban Planning and Public Policy