ROSELAND'S VITO MIELNICKI, JR. - New Jersey's Youngest Pro Boxer - SET TO BOx tonight in Las VEgas

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 1:10pm​

PHOTO: Mielnicki Family

ROSELAND, NJ - Roseland resident Vito Mielnicki, Jr. has been boxing since the age of seven; now 10 years later at the age of 17 he's living out his dreams as a pro boxer when tonight he takes on 
Marklin Bailey at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. 

Nicknamed "White Magic" by his large fanbase, Mielnicki at 5' 10", 146 pounds, competes in the welterweight boxing division.
 
Mielnicki had an impressive amateur 147-22 record and his highlights include several achievements and national titles: 

• Jr. National Golden Gloves Champion
  (2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015)
  
  
• Ringside World Nationals
  2 Time Ringside World Champion and Outstanding Boxer 
  
  
• Silver Gloves National Champion
  
  
• 2017 Team USA Jr National Champion

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Mielnicki Jr. is the youngest licensed professional boxer in New Jersey's history and began his career in July after successfully competing against welterweight Tamarcus Smith at Newark's Prudential Center:  

• Vito Mielnicki Jr. Explosive In Historic Pro Debut

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ESPN Sports Center noted the Knockout on their  Top-10 Plays of the Day.​​

​Mielnicki then went on to his second knockout against Caleb Bailey at La Hacienda Event Center in Midland Texas. 
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• Brandun Lee, Vito Mielnicki Produce Quick Knockouts

Showtime later aired Highlights from Mielnicki’s victory. 

Tonight Mielnicki will be at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, fighting on the Deontay Wilder‒Luis Ortiz II undercard.  As a 17-year old, Vito will be the only participant needing to be escorted through the casino area.
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• Teen Spirit: Vito Mielnicki Jr. on the Big Stage in Las Vegas​​

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When he isn't training, Mielnicki is working hard on college prep as a Senior at West Essex High School. According to this article, much  of his time in Vegas has been spent completing his work for English and Math. 

​Mielnicki reports that at home in Roseland he:

• Wakes up at 4:30am to train at the gym 
  
  
• Gets home by 6:30am to shower for school to make the first bell
  
  
• Gets out of school at 3pm
  
  
• Trains until as late as 9pm
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• Goes to bed by 10pm​
  
  

Mielnicki was interviewed in preparation for tonight's bout and discussed his family and "accepting life and boxing challenges, being Polish-Italian-American, his Polish Connection to Adam Kownacki and growing up fast."

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Vito Mielnicki, Jr. weighs in at the MGM Grand at  "147 on the dot."

Mielnicki is managed by Anthony Catanzaro, and he trains with Muhammad Salaam and Dwyke Flemmings. His favorite boxer is Vasyl Lomachenko and he has publicly stated that watching Floyd Mayweather box spurred him into practice boxing at the age of seven.

He credits his parents, however, as being "supportive throughout my journey to get me to where I am today" and says it's his family that most motivates him to succeed. ​​​