Vito Mielnicki Jr vs Austin Williams

This is a proper crossroads fight. Vito Mielnicki Jr has the hometown support, the younger legs and the more decorated amateur background, having boxed nearly 170 times and won four Junior National Golden Gloves titles. Austin “Ammo” Williams had a much shorter amateur career, but still reached No. 1 in America at 165 pounds and boxed for Team USA. He learned quickly, and that matters when the lights go bright.

The difference for me is professional seasoning. Mielnicki has been brought along sensibly, but Williams has already shared a ring with Hamzah Sheeraz and gone 12 rounds with WBC champion Carlos Adames. He lost both, and Adames gave him a proper hiding, but there is no substitute for feeling world-class speed, timing and physical pressure. Mielnicki has never operated in that company.

Mielnicki is neat, upright and technically sound. He jabs well and rarely wastes much, but he can become predictable when an opponent takes away his straight right. Williams is the southpaw, has the longer reach and carries more spite. His problem is discipline: when he gets excited, he loads up and leaves gaps.

Williams must pressure behind the right jab, step outside Mielnicki’s lead foot and drive the left hand into the body. Mielnicki will have success early, but once Ammo turns it into a physical fight, I believe his greater top-level experience will tell.

Williams by unanimous decision after 12 hard rounds.