Vito Mielnicki Jr hopes continued growth leads to Xander Zayas matchup

Junior middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. is targeting a high-profile fight with fellow Top Rank fighter Xander Zayas after securing a second-round disqualification victory over Laszlo Toth on Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Mielnicki (19-1, 12 KOs), 22, knocked down Toth, prompting Toth’s father, Laszlo Toth Sr., to enter the ring. The interference led referee Wes Melton to disqualify Toth the fighter.

The outcome, though favorable, wasn’t exactly what Mielnicki was hoping for.

“I would say a knockout, not a DQ,” Mielnicki said of his preferred result in the ring after the fight. “I’ve heard a few guys calling my name from the Top Rank stable, so I want to put my name out there.”

The fight was Mielnicki’s first since officially signing with Top Rank, although he made his professional debut with the promotion in 2019 prior to signing this year.

Mielnicki is keen on a future bout with the 21-year-old Zayas (19-0, 12 KOs).

“Xander Zayas, we could get that going in New York soon – probably in another year,” Mielnicki said. “Let’s get that going. I heard him calling my name. Yeah, I would love that at the Garden. Whenever they want to do it – Puerto Rican Day parade, any day. I’m ready for it. We’re good.”

Mielnicki sees his performance as a testament to his development over a five-year professional career.

“Just growth, just continue to grow,” Mielnicki said. “I’m still young, still 22. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

He credited sparring partners Andreas Katzourakis and Lorenzo Simpson for their role in his preparation at Ronnie Shields’ gym in Texas.

“Definitely, I go against great guys in the gym all the time,” Mielnicki said. “We’ve got a great group, and I’m going against those kinds of guys.”

Shields praised Mielnicki for sticking to the game plan and executing it effectively.

“He followed the game plan to a ‘T,’” Shields said. “He wanted to come out and show everybody he can box, but he also can punch. He jumped out on top and hit him with some bombs.”