Vito Mielnicki Jr vs Gerardo Luis Vergara

This looks like it might be a decent test for Mielnicki Jr. He is the younger man, the bigger man, and the one being moved towards the world middleweight elite class. Vergara is not there to roll over, mind you. A 21-1 Argentine with 14 knockouts usually brings a bit of spite with him, and if Mielnicki switches off, it could be a disaster at this stage.

The difference is schooling. Mielnicki has been around a better class of operator, boxed on bigger nights, and had to learn under brighter lights. He is six feet tall, orthodox, sharp with the jab, and when he keeps his shape, he can make a man walk into counters all night. Vergara is shorter, older, and has made his name mainly on the South American circuit. That does not mean he cannot fight, but it does mean he is stepping up a level or two.

The nuts and bolts are simple. Mielnicki’s jab is the key. If he keeps that lead hand busy, touches the chest, steps off after his right hand and does not admire his work, he wins rounds clean. Vergara’s chance is to make it ugly, crowd him, lean on him, drag him to the ropes and turn it into a phone booth war.

I do not see Vergara having enough variety to do that for ten rounds. He will be game, he will have moments, but Mielnicki should be too polished, too fresh and too tidy from distance.