New Start for New Jersey Star: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Signs with Top Rank

NEW YORK — Junior middleweight contender Vito “White Magic” Mielnicki Jr., the fighting pride of the Garden State, has agreed to a long-term promotional deal with Top Rank.

The WBA has Roseland, New Jersey native Mielnicki ranked No. 4. Today, at the last press conference for a bout card that featured emerging junior middleweight sensation Xander Zayas as the main attraction, his signing was revealed.

Mielnicki’s Top Rank debut date will be revealed soon.

“Vito is an extraordinarily talented and personable young man who has been on our radar since his amateur days. We are thrilled he’s decided to sign with Top Rank and believe he has all the tools to become a world champion,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum.

“I’m beyond blessed and grateful to sign with Top Rank, one of the greatest promotional companies ever. This is the start of a new chapter of my story,” Mielnicki said. “I’m excited to continue to grow and blossom as a fighter. I’m looking forward to staying active and continuing to build on the foundation I’ve created in the beginning years of my career. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey up to this point.” 

Mielnicki (18-1, 12 KOs) trained with Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis, and he was a four-time Junior National Golden Gloves winner. At the age of 17, he made his professional debut in July 2019 under the lights of the Stevenson main event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on a Top Rank on ESPN card. On that bill, he was 5-0 and had a first-round knockout before graduating from West Essex High School in 2020. In his eighth professional bout, Mielnicki lost by majority decision to James Martin, which was his only professional setback.

Mielnicki has won ten bouts and taken home three regional crowns since dropping his match against Martin. Under the guidance of Ronnie Shields, a trainer who has worked with fighters like Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, and Pernell Whitaker, he is currently training in Houston. After practicing in the Lone Star State, Mielnicki sparred with former middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo for several rounds, finally finding his groove. In his most recent fight, which took place on May 4 on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia, he defeated Ronald Cruz by majority decision to claim the vacant WBC USA junior middleweight title.

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.