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Junior middleweight contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. has signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank.
Mielnicki, from Roseland, New Jersey, is ranked No. 4 by the WBA. His signing was announced Thursday during the final press conference for a fight card headlined by another rising junior middleweight star, Xander Zayas.
The date of Mielnicki’s Top Rank debut will be announced shortly.
“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) was a four-time National Junior Golden Gloves champion as an amateur who trained alongside Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson. He turned pro in July 2019 – at 17 years of age – on a Top Rank on ESPN card that featured a Stevenson main event at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Mielnicki scored a first-round knockout on that bill and was 5-0 as a professional before he graduated from West Essex High School in 2020. Mielnicki suffered one professional speed bump, a majority decision defeat against James Martin, in his ninth pro fight.
Since losing to Martin, Mielnicki has won 10 fights and picked up three regional titles. He now trains in Houston under the tutelage of Ronnie Shields, who has worked with the likes of Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Pernell Whitaker.
Mielnicki, who has sparred dozens of rounds with former middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo, last fought May 4 on the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-Jaime Munguia undercard, winning a one-sided unanimous decision over Ronald Cruz.