Vito Mielnicki Jr vs Austin Williams set for Newark bout

Vito Mielnicki Jr will reportedly meet Austin Williams on September 4th in Newark in what marks the middleweight contender's first fight under Matchroom Boxing.

Bad Left Hook reports that the bout will take place in Mielnicki's New Jersey hometown, pitting the unbeaten WBO No. 2 ranked fighter against a recent title challenger looking to rebuild. Mielnicki holds a 23-1 record with 13 knockouts, though his only loss on paper — a majority draw against Connor Coyle — was later ruled a no contest when Coyle failed a drug test. The 26-year-old has not lost in 16 outings but still lacks a name-level victory on his ledger.

Williams presents toughest test yet for Mielnicki

Williams enters off a lopsided defeat to Carlos Adames in a WBC middleweight title challenge this past March, hitting the canvas early and absorbing heavy punishment across 10 rounds. The loss snapped a four-fight winning streak that followed his destructive knockout loss to Hamzah Sheeraz. Despite the setback, Williams still represents the toughest assignment Mielnicki has faced, carrying a 20-2 record with 13 knockouts and legitimate threat at the level just below elite.

A win for Mielnicki could position him for a title shot once the WBO middleweight picture clarifies following Janibek Alimkhanuly's current suspension. Williams needs a statement performance to prove he belongs in the title mix after consecutive failures when the stakes were highest.

Neither fighter has publicly confirmed the matchup, which is expected to be announced formally in the coming weeks.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — Vito Mielnicki Jr vs Austin Williams reportedly set for September 4th in Newark