NEW JERSEY super welterweight hopeful Vito Mielnicki Jr, 17-1 (12), will make his debut in 2024 in a very special event.
The 21-year-old will battle it out with Ronald Cruz, 32, 19-3-1 (12), on Canelo Alvarez-Jaime Munguia at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on May 4 (Cinco De Mayo).
Cruz earned a seven (yes, seven) round-round victory in El Salvador in December 2023 to end a three-fight winless streak. One of those losses was to Puerto Rican hope Xander Zayas in June 2023.
However, this won't be Mielnicki's first time fighting in Sin City, having beaten Vegas cards like Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury 2 and Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia. The top boxing champions clearly have a lot of faith in their 6ft tall opponent, who is still learning on the job.
Mielnicki, nicknamed 'White Magic', has been on a nine-fight winning streak since tasting defeat for the first time in April 2021 against James Martin. The loss of points in eight rounds was attributed to lack of preparation, something he vowed never to repeat. Trained by Ronnie Shields in Houston, Mielnicki also has the backing of PBC and is currently in the top 10 WBA rankings at number seven.
The super heavyweight division has been the talk of the sport this week with the announcement that WBA champion Israil Madrimov will defend his championship against number one Terence Crawford on August 3. Elsewhere on the card at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles Tim Tszyu reinforces his mantra of having the toughest fights by facing undefeated hotshot Vergil Ortiz Jr in a race sure of the slugfest chair. Ortiz must first defeat Thomas Dulorme on Saturday night (April 27) to ensure his trip to Los Angeles goes smoothly.
Mielnicki has a long way to go before being paired with such talented and dangerous fighters but picking up wins on the biggest cards in the sport won't do him any harm.
