By Jake Donovan
Vito Mielnicki Jr. has a new fight date—and this time under the auspices of a state commission who will have him.
The rookie welterweight from Roseland, New Jersey will return to the ring on September 20, on the non-televised portion of Showtime's recently announced ShoBox tripleheader in Midland, Texas. An opponent has yet to be named for the occasion, which will mark his second pro bout.
“Back in action September 20 in Midland, Texas,” Mielnicki Jr. (1-0, 1KO) revealed through social media on Thursday. “Can’t wait to put on a great show.”
Original plans called for the 17-year old—who enters his senior year at West Essex High School—to fight on the undercard of a September 28 Fox Sports Pay-Per-View in Los Angeles, Calif. The proposed supporting bout to the welterweight unification clash between Errol Spence and Shawn Porter would’ve marked his debut under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner.
A different route was sought, however, due to California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) rules which prohibit anyone under 18 years of age from participating in a boxing event. No such restrictions exist in Texas, which allows Mielnicki Jr. to fight on a card also involving his father.
Vito Mielnicki Sr. promotes—through his GH3 Promotions outfit—lightweight prospect Thomas Mattice (14-1-1, 10KOs) who faces unbeaten locally-bred favorite Michael Dutchover in the Showtime-televised main event.
“The platforms, the resources, PBC is second to none,” Anthony Catanzaro, Mielnicki’s manager insisted to BoxingScene.com. “We were really looking forward to his next fight appearing on a Fox Sports platform as part of that great PPV event.
“On the bright side, he now gets to fight a week ahead of schedule and as part of a terrific card on Showtime.”
For now, there aren’t any guarantees of Mielnicki Jr. making the telecast although he could be featured in the highlight reel. The same luxury was afforded his pro debut, which took place this past July in nearby Newark, N.J.
A 1st round knockout of Tamarcus Smith made its way to ESPN’s SportsCenter as one of the top sports developments of the day. Mielnicki Jr. not only delivered in the ring but also at the box office, selling more than 1,000 tickets for the event and immediately becoming a highly sought-after commodity.
Rumors swirled of his potentially signing with Top Rank, whom promoted the show which housed his pro debut, but the teenaged newcomer went with PBC, though with his debut under such banner still forthcoming.
As the PBC conglomerate does frequent business in Texas and Nevada—two states whose commissions don’t carry such age restrictions, along with New Jersey granting him an exception for his pro debut given his extensive amateur background—that opportunity figures to come much sooner than having to wait until his 18th birthday next May.
“Whether you’re a world champion or just turning pro, if (PBC executives) see something in you, then you’re going to make your way to a televised fight,” notes Mielnicki Jr.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox