NEWARK – Vito Mielnicki Jr. first stepped into a professional ring at the Prudential Center as an ambitious 17-year-old making his debut. He returned four years later as a seasoned professional with a world ranking.
Mielnicki Jr., 21, put on an exciting show for fans in his home state on Friday, defeating former title challenger Salim Larbi in the first round.
Mielnicki (17-1, 12 KOs) dropped Larbi (22-13-3, 8 KOs) twice in the first round, leaving him cold with a single right hand. Mielnicki, from nearby Roseland, New Jersey, never got out of first gear as he walked toward Larbi, 36, knocking him down with a combination along the ropes. Larbi seemed shocked by the power of his opponent and was an easy target for the lights-out right hand.
There was some concern for Larbi, who remained motionless for several minutes before being carried out of the ring on a stretcher. Mielnicki was subdued after he finished the fight, crossing his chest while medical personnel tended to Larbi. Larbi regained consciousness when he was carried out of the ring.
(Undercard results: Kristian Prenga gets KO1 in Newark)
The victory was Mielnicki’s fourth at the Prudential Center and ninth in a row overall.
Mielnicki, who fought for the second time under head coach Ronnie Shields, is ranked no. 6 by the WBA. He is promoted by Premier Boxing Champions.
The fight headlined the inaugural “Brick City Friday Night Fights” series, a series promoted by GH3 Promotions that aims to present 3-4 cards per year at Prudential Center featuring up-and-coming talent in the New Jersey area. Friday’s show drew a crowd of 4,651 to the home arena of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
Anderson and LaManna score stoppage wins
Michael “Slick” Anderson (24-3-1, 18 KOs) showed that he still has a lot ahead of him at 43 years old. The welterweight from Newark stood tall after a spirited challenge from Dominican fighter Eudy Bernardo (25-7, 18 KO).
Anderson floored Bernardo twice in Round 5, finishing Bernardo with a left hook that forced the referee to call off the no-county fight at the 2:28 mark.
The fight was the second for Anderson in the last two months, but only the second since 2021.
Anderson, a professional since 2007, has won seven straight since a decision loss to Greg Vendetti in 2019.
Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna lived up to his lofty no. 4 in the WBA rankings, dominating Nicholas Hernandez until a knockout in the seventh round. LaManna (37-5-1, 16 KOs) controlled the fight throughout, destroying the southpaw from Reading, Pennsylvania, with uppercuts, right crosses and every other punch in between.
It was the most complete performance to date for LaManna, 32, of Millville, New Jersey, who has rebuilt her standing in the sport with seven straight victories following her first-round knockout loss to Erislandy Lara in 2021 by the WBA middleweight title.
Ryan Songalia has written for ESPN, New York Daily News, Rappler and The Guardian, and is part of the Craig Newmark School of Journalism Class of 2020. You can contact him at [email protected].
