Rising welterweight prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr. was victorious via 10th-round TKO Saturday night, as he defeated Nicholas DeLomba in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event and on FOX Deportes live from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
“It was a beautiful right hand that hurt him,” said Mielnicki Jr. “He was a tough guy and he made me work all night. At 19-years-old going 10-rounds, I felt great and my wind was great. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I’m blessed to be in this position and we definitely can’t wait to be back in 2022.”
Fighting in front of a hometown crowd, the Roseland, New Jersey-native Mielnicki (10-1, 7 KOs) began to find a spot for his offense in round three when a clean right hook connected on DeLomba (16-4, 5 KOs) and froze him temporarily. Mielnicki followed up with a vicious flurry as DeLomba tried to move and remain tight in his guard in order to survive the round.
DeLomba finally began to increase his offense in round four, landing some good overhand rights, but was still struggling to slow down his 19-year-old opponent. Part of his troubles came from his own strategy to follow Mielnicki around the ring, as the younger fighter was able to consistently get shots off, move out of the way of a counter and reset in position to attack again.
“I think in this fight I definitely displayed my boxing ability,” said Mielnicki Jr. “I was using my feet. Everyone knows me as a puncher and a pressure guy. I was in there with a tough guy and I want to thank him for sharing the ring with me tonight.”
Mielnicki rode this strategy on his way to a big edge in overall punches landed, connecting on 150 to DeLomba’s 55, according to CompuBox. Mielnicki was also able to build up a big advantage in power punches landed with a 105 to 41 tally.
The action remained in Mielnicki’s favor throughout the rest of the bout, as Mielnicki went into the 10th round for the first time in his career. DeLomba nearly avoided big trouble till the final bell, but a huge right hand from Mielnicki left him staggered and hurt in the 10th and final round. Appearing on weak legs, Mielnicki pounced on DeLomba and forced referee Eric Dali, at the advice of DeLomba’s corner, to waive off the bout 1:49 in the final round.
“I just want to keep growing and growing next year,” said Mielnicki Jr. “I might get on some undercards next year, or I’d be thrilled to main event here at Prudential Center again.”