By: Lou McLaughlin

New Jersey’s young boxing prodigy 19 year old Vito (White Magic) Mielnicki Jr (8 wins 5 by KO and 1 loss by majority decision)  will be fighting on the undercard of the July 31 boxing card featuring  main event heavyweights Gerald Washington vs. Michael” Polite” Coffee and middleweights Joey Spencer vs. Dan Karpency at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. For Mielnicki this will be a rematch against James Martin in an 8 round welterweight bout.

 The PBC bout is being televised by the Fox Network. Vito has the distinction of having received a special exemption from the New Jersey Athletic Control Board to compete professionally at age 17 due to his exceptional skills as an amateur. He started boxing in the amateur ranks at the tender age of 7. He was at an elite level since the age of 9 when he won his first national championship in Vegas at the Jr. Golden gloves.  He was a 7-time national champ National Titles Won: 4 Time Jr Golden Gloves National Champion, 2 Time Ringside World Champion, Silver Gloves National Champion, and 2017 USA Jr. National Champion. Internationally he achieved a record of 10-2 for a total amateur record 147 -22.  His competition in the amateurs gave domestic and international travel opportunities that few young people get. His extensive amateur career has exposed him to a variety of boxing styles.  He stands at 5’10” currently at welterweight (147 lbs.)

Because of his sterling amateur career and boxing pedigree he has received a better than usual entry into the sport. Most fighters as they begin their careers start at small club venues with a limited audience. Vito made his pro debut at the Prudential Center in Newark and has twice fought in Las Vegas at MGM Grand and other out of State venues. Now in his tenth fight he is on a major televised fight.

Because of his great promise of success, he has an elite team behind him.  With Al Haymon as his adviser, signed by Premier Boxing Champions who are grooming him to be a star attraction and probable future World Champion in three to four years. With Vito being only 19 years old at 147 lbs. there is the potential for him to be a multi divisional titlist as his frame fills out. So many celebrities in sports and entertainment let the fame take them down wrong roads. This won’t be the case with young Vito. His Mother Tricia Mielnicki is a guiding force that keeps his feet on the ground and levelheaded. 

His interest in boxing at the age of 7 came from watching boxing with his Father Vito Sr.  Boxing came as a natural interest as his Father Vito Sr. is a promoter with GH3 Promotions. Both Father and Son hope to make Roseland, New Jersey proud of a future big-name star in boxing.

Q: You had a great run in 2020 fighting four times despite the pandemic lockdown. Any comments about being that fortunate despite the pandemic? 

A: By being with best in the game Al Haymon put me in the position to fight four times during the pandemic. I was one of the most active fighters during the pandemic. By being with Al Haymon and PBC family they gave me the opportunities to keep me busy.

Q: Your made of your pro debut the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The rest of your fights being out of state; including the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Now you’re back with a hometown crowd at the Prudential. Any difference for you mentally or emotionally?

A: I think it is great fighting in front of my family and friends and it’s going to be a packed house. We also have a lot of other local guys on the card. It’s going to be a full house and I can’t wait to put on a show for all the fans.

Q: your last fight was a majority decision loss. Not really a devastating setback. The cards were 76-76 draw, 77-73 Martin, and 79-73 Martin (which I thought was a little over the top in watching the fight). The broadcast announcer Marcos Villegas had it 66-67 Martin. Your comments?

A: I’m not concerned about the scoring. It’s still a loss. For me I am a competitor and losing is not really an option. Really, it is obvious that it was one of my worst nights. It wasn’t really me in there. It was a loss and for me regardless of the scorecards. For me I don’t accept losing.

Q: You fought Martin at 152 lbs. above your usual 147 lbs. Also, you suffered a heavy nosebleed did these factors affect you any?

A: The nosebleed, I’ve always been a bleeder even in the amateurs. So no, the nose really wasn’t anything different for me throughout the fight. The 152 was because we took the fight on short notice 4 weeks. I had just fought February 27th, so I took a week or two off after that fight and came right back April 17^th. So, it was a 4-week camp we could not get down to 147.

Q: Has your training for this rematch been different? What do you anticipate doing different? 

A: We’re in a real camp. All my sparring partners are accomplished and providing great training. Everyone competing at their best level. Every workout everyone is pushing each other to their limit and past their limits. I think having this kind of environment is important.

Q: Who or what inspired you to participate in boxing?

A: I was young 6-7 years old. I was watching boxing on television guys like Shane Mosley with my Father. I said to my Dad I want to try that. And he took me to the gym. In the first few days it was rough. I started to build relationships with people at the gym. Throughout the weeks and months, I didn’t want to leave the gym. I became a real gym rat. It’s still going, the journey continues and it’s going to be a fun one as well.     

Q: You have had a young start in this sport. But as the saying goes all things come to an end. Do you have any plans for after boxing? Though that is so far down the road and there is a good chance that you will finish your career wealthy.

A: Basically, try to inspire the younger generation. I want to be an inspiration for younger fighters and athletes throughout the world. Not just in athletics but as a person as well. Also, I would want to provide for my Father Vito Sr. and my Mother Tricia