BoxRec

Vito Mielnicki Jr. To Headline FOX Show Christmas Night At Prudential Center In Newark

FOX will televise live boxing on Christmas night, an extreme rarity in the sport.

Boxing Scene has learned that the broadcast network, as part of its deal with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, has agreed to air a multi-fight card December 25 from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Christmas falls on a Saturday this year and PBC must produce a certain number of shows per calendar year to fulfill its contractual obligation with FOX, which has exercised the fourth-year option to which it was entitled as part of a three-year deal it entered with PBC in September 2018.

The Christmas show will feature welterweight prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr. in the main event. Mielnicki’s opponent had not been secured as of Tuesday afternoon.

FOX’s December 25 show also will include fights that’ll showcase other prospects to be determined.

The 19-year-old Mielnicki (9-1, 6 KOs), of Roseland, New Jersey, most recently stopped Noah Kidd in the second round of a scheduled eight-rounder July 31 at Prudential Center, the home arena of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Kidd (6-4-2, 5 KOs), of Jefferson City, Missouri, replaced Mielnicki’s original opponent, James Martin, on approximately 36 hours’ notice because Martin was significantly overweight for what was supposed to be an immediate rematch with Mielnicki.

Philadelphia’s Martin (7-3, 0 KOs) upset Mielnicki by majority decision in an eight-round junior middleweight match April 17. FOX also aired that bout as part of a tripleheader from Shrine Auditorium & Exposition Center in Los Angeles.

Once Martin came in 4½ pounds overweight July 30, he agreed to replace Dan Karpency as Joey Spencer’s opponent the next night. Karpency (9-3-1, 4 KOs), of Adah, Pennsylvania, refused to fight Spencer (13-0, 9 KOs), of Linden, Michigan, because Spencer was 2½ pounds overweight for what was supposed to be an eight-round, 154-pound bout.

Spencer comfortably out-boxed Martin on his way to winning an eight-round unanimous decision in the opener of FOX’s tripleheader July 31.

lol vito headlining?

I'm not surprised if he is-he is getting a very heavy push and he can't fight a lick.

Looks like FOX have agreed that 4th year.

Something EO said he very much doubted would happen.

Press Release

Welterweight prospect and New Jersey-native Vito Mielnicki Jr. will battle Nicholas DeLomba in a 10-round matchup on Saturday, December 25 headlining FOX PBC Fight Night action and on FOX Deportes on Christmas Day from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The broadcast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and feature sensational unbeaten prospect Joey Spencer taking on Mexico’s Limberth Ponce for eight-rounds of middleweight action in the co-main event.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com.

“Vito Mielnicki Jr. has cultivated a growing and devoted fan base in his native New Jersey and he’ll look to give them all a Christmas Day gift with an electric performance against Nicholas DeLomba in his first headlining appearance on FOX,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Prudential Center will be hosting two of boxing’s brightest young up-and-comers, as Joey Spencer steps in for the co-main event against Limberth Ponce, making this a great night for boxing’s future stars to showcase their skills.”

Representing Roseland, New Jersey, Mielnicki (9-1, 6 KOs) makes his second straight appearance at Prudential Center, as he bounced back from his first career defeat to stop Noah Kidd in Newark in July on FOX. The 19-year-old began turning heads during an exceptional amateur career where he compiled a 147-22 record and was named the Most Outstanding Boxer of the 2011 Junior National Golden Gloves, amongst many accolades before turning pro. Mielnicki was able to add four victories to his ledger in 2020 and he kicked off his 2021 campaign with a knockout of Noe Lopez in February on FOX.

"I want to thank my whole team for giving me this great opportunity to headline Christmas Night at the Prudential Center live on FOX," said Mielnicki. "I’m excited to showcase my talent as the main event in front of my family, friends and fans in my home state of New Jersey. This is my toughest opponent to date. I expect the best version of Delomba on fight night. Everyone get your tickets and tune in because you don’t want to miss this one. Expect fireworks on Christmas Night!"

DeLomba (16-3, 5 KOs) put together a five-fight winning streak heading into his most recent bout, which saw him drop a decision to super lightweight contender Richardson Hitchins in February 2020. The 31-year-old has fought professionally since 2013, turning pro after losing to Robert Easter Jr. in the 2012 U.S. National Championship quarterfinals. Fighting out of Cranston, Rhode Island, DeLomba won 11 of his first 12 pro fights before a 2017 decision defeat to Jimmy Williams.

“Vito is a good, young fighter and I’m impressed with what he’s done so far, but I have experience on my side,” said DeLomba. “I’ve faced some of the best fighters in the world, and I’ve never backed down from a challenge. This is a great spotlight for me to show what I’m all about. Make no mistake, I’m coming to win.”

The 21-year-old Spencer (12-0, 9 KOs) turned pro in February 2017 and immediately caught the eye of fans and pundits with his combination of speed, power and athleticism. Following an impressive 2020 campaign, the Linden, Michigan native opened 2021 with a first-round TKO over Isiah Seldon in January on FOX. Spencer continued his march toward world title contention with a wide unanimous decision triumph over James Martin in July.

"I’m very excited to give the fans in New Jersey a great show on Christmas Day," said Spencer. "I’ve been preparing well and am excited to show what I can do against a durable opponent like Ponce. I can’t wait to be back in the ring on FOX to continue displaying everything I’ve been working on."

Born in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, Ponce (18-4, 11 KOs) fights out of Rock Island, Illinois throughout his pro career that dates back to 2012. The 30-year-old followed up a 2016 defeat to Neeco Macias with seven-straight wins before a 2019 split-decision loss to Thomas Hill. Ponce returned to the ring in June of this year to stop Chris Grays in three rounds.

“I know this will be a tough fight, but I’m going to be prepared for whatever my opponent brings on fight night,” said Ponce. “On December 25, I’m leaving everything in the ring. I want to give the fans a great fight and make my mark with this performance.”

joey spence looks like kyle rittenhouse

Vito Mielnicki Jr expects ‘tough fight’ against Nicholas DeLomba

Welterweight prospect and New Jersey-native Mielnicki Jr previewed his Christmas Day showdown during a press conference on Thursday. Check out below what he and his trainer Muhammad Salaam had to say.

Mielnicki vs DeLomba tickets

Tickets for Vito Mielnicki Jr vs Nicholas DeLomba showdown at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey are on sale. Tickets can be purchased through Vivid Seats and TicketNetwork.

“I want to thank my whole team for giving me the opportunity to display my skills on the biggest platform possible,” Mielnicki Jr said. “I’m blessed to be back here fighting on Christmas Day in my home state at Prudential Center.”

“We’re ready to put on a show for everyone on Christmas. This is going to be a great gift for everyone. We’re going to give you a great night of action.”

“This is a dream come true for me. There’s no other way I’d rather spend Christmas. I’m living the dream at 19-years-old. I can’t wait to perform in front of a huge audience on FOX.”

“I’m really excited to be able to fight in front of my home fans in the state of New Jersey. This is my toughest opponent to date, and I’m expecting a tough fight. You don’t want to miss this one, because we’re definitely delivering fireworks.”

Mielnicki’s head trainer Muhammad Salaam said: “We put a lot of good work into this camp. A lot of hard work every day to be at our best on fight night.”

“This is going to be a great performance on Christmas Day. We put in the work and now we’re going to go out there and do what we do best.”

Among other bouts featured on the card Joey Spencer meets Limberth Ponce in an eight-rounder at middleweight. The full Mielnicki vs DeLomba undercard is expected to be announced shortly.

Fight Week!

they really want vito to be something

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑20 Dec 2021, 11:45 they really want vito to be something

Yeh, he's already lost his '0', but that's not a bad thing for a young prospect.

Press Release | Vito Mielnicki Vows To Deliver Fireworks in Christmas Day Fight on FOX

Welterweight prospect and New Jersey-native Vito Mielnicki Jr. previewed his Christmas Day showdown against Nicholas DeLomba during a press conference Thursday before they meet on Saturday, December 25 headlining FOX PBC Fight Night action and on FOX Deportes from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (photo by Andrew Maclean/HBSE)

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com.

The FOX telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also feature unbeaten prospect Joey Spencer taking on Mexico’s Limberth Ponce for eight-rounds of middleweight action in the co-main event.

Here is what Mielnicki and his trainer Muhammad Salaam had to say Thursday:

VITO MIELNICKI JR.

“I want to thank my whole team for giving me the opportunity to display my skills on the biggest platform possible. I’m blessed to be back here fighting on Christmas Day in my home state at Prudential Center.

“We’re ready to put on a show for everyone on Christmas. This is going to be a great gift for everyone. We’re going to give you a great night of action.

“This is a dream come true for me. There’s no other way I’d rather spend Christmas. I’m living the dream at 19-years-old. I can’t wait to perform in front of a huge audience on FOX.

“I’m really excited to be able to fight in front of my home fans in the state of New Jersey. This is my toughest opponent to date, and I’m expecting a tough fight. You don’t want to miss this one, because we’re definitely delivering fireworks.”

MUHAMMAD SALAAM, Mielnicki’s Head Trainer

“We put a lot of good work into this camp. A lot of hard work every day to be at our best on fight night.

“This is going to be a great performance on Christmas Day. We put in the work and now we’re going to go out there and do what we do best.”

Mielnicki & Spencer Get a Christmas Opportunity on Fox

For the millions of Americans celebrating the holiday, Christmas supper will likely be done. Desserts will be served or on their way. A healthy set of those millions of homes will know or soon know how a clash between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns wrapped up.

Then the opening bell will sound.

It won’t be from Santa’s sleigh either.

In prime time, on Christmas night, Fox (8 PM EST) is airing boxing to the nation and putting a spotlight on two young talents with a golden opportunity to catch eyes ready to sit still for a minute and see what’s on.

It could end up being a shrewd play.

In the main event, airing from the Prudential Center in Newark, 19-year old New Jersey welterweight prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr. (9-1, 6 KO) will face Rhode Island’s Nicholas DeLomba (16-3, 5 KO). It will be Mielnicki’s first scheduled ten round contest and second bout since a loss to James Martin. Mielnicki has been a regular on televised undercards in his early career development but this is the biggest spotlight of his career.

DeLomba has only been stopped once and enters off a distance loss to Richardson Hitchins in his last bout.

The spotlight will be just as big for 21-year old Michigan middleweight hopeful Joey Spencer (13-0, 9 KO) and the spotlight may be even brighter for Spencer the man who will get to scratch first on the broadcast. Spencer is scheduled for eight rounds against 30-year old Mexican Limberth Ponce (18-4, 11 KO). Ponce has never been stopped and has a style that should make for action.

Action has to be the goal in the matchmaking here with an eye toward the future.

It remains to be seen whether Mielnicki or Spencer will develop into a real contender one day. If they do, this is a great foundation. Even if they don’t, the visibility can lend itself to being something boxing always needs: reliable television fighters.

Reliable television fighters don’t have to win every time out but they need to be the sort of fighters people want to watch when they’re on. The PBC has been positioning both to be at least that and is giving them a hell of a main line to the nation on Christmas Day.

One of the problems boxing can run into is competition not only from itself but also other sports. There are no bigger sports obstacles than the NFL and piggy backing off of a holiday appearance from one of the game’s living greats, Aaron Rodgers, is a gift that could keep on giving over time.

It won’t stop a vast array of viewers from changing the channel after the Packers-Browns game to see the NBA battle pitting Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers against Kevin Durant and the New Jersey Nets. It doesn’t have to. It just needs to keep more viewers than might usually be the case for a boxing card on Fox. Ratings have been good for most shows on the network, including a Fox show featuring super middleweight David Morell last Saturday that did in the neighborhood of a million viewers over the course of the broadcast and more than that in peak for the main event.

Morrell didn’t have the same quality lead in or the benefit of a stationary holiday audience.

If this Saturday’s show can keep a few more eyeballs, it’s then up to Mielnicki and Spencer to give those eyes something to look forward to going forward. If they can, the spotlight can only get brighter in 2022.

Anyone watching this tonight?

I intend to watch it.

Date: Saturday December 25, 2021
Location: Prudential Center - Newark, NJ
TV: FOX

Start Times
PBC on FS1: 6 pm ET | 3 pm PT | 11 pm GMT (Preliminary Card)
PBC on FOX: 8 pm ET | 5 pm PT | 1 am GMT (Main Card)

Promoted by: Premier Boxing Champions

Main Card

10 Round Welterweight Bout
Vito Mielnicki Jr vs. Nicholas DeLomba

8 Round Middleweight Bout
Joey Spencer vs. Limberth Ponce

6 Round Super Welterweight Bout
Yoelvis Gomez vs. Clay Collard

6 Round Super Bantamweight Bout
Rajon Chance vs. Elon de Jesus

Prelims Undercard

6 Round Super Welterweight Bout
Travon Marshall vs. Brian Jones

6 Round Welterweight Bout
Keeshawn Williams vs. Anthony Velazquez

6 Round Super Bantamweight Bout
Michael Angeletti vs. Juan Muro

6 Round Welterweight Bout
Michael Anderson vs. Noe Alejandro Lopez

Non-Televised

4 Round Bantamweight Bout
Malik Nelson vs. Prince Martin

4 Round Welterweight Bout
Vincent Gigante vs. Robbie Anthony Rose

4 Round Welterweight Bout
Dwyke Flemmings Jr vs. George Gethers

4 Round Super Lightweight Bout
Elijah Flores vs. Shannon Hawkins

This has started.

Sims Jr in on the undercard prelims.

Haven’t had the chance to update properly.

I agree with Iole.

jason litzau levels at tops. hes obviously not terrible or anything but just looks kinda like a run of the mill prospect, who in most cases doesnt get on these shows let alone headline

his biggest advantage in his career will be getting the a side favours and push that he's getting from day 1. his dad is a promoter in new jersey and that's prob helped.