Newark, NJ—-In the gritty streets of Newark, New Jersey, tensions rose as Vito Mielnicki squared off against Salum Larbi in a fierce Brick City fight. The crowd roared with anticipation as the two fighters clashed, each representing a different side of Newark’s vibrant and diverse community. The outcome of this epic showdown would leave a lasting mark on the city’s boxing history.
21-year-old junior middleweight contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. (17-1, 12 KOs) beat down Salim Larbi (22-13-3, 8 KOs) in the first round.
A crushing hand knocked Larbi to the canvas and out. He was down for a minute and then regained consciousness, but had to be removed from the ring on a stretcher. Larbi regained consciousness by the time he was removed from the ring.
Mielnicki got his fourth win of the year and all four wins have come by way of knockout. The rising prospect from Roseland, New Jersey has won nine fights in a row since losing his first career defeat, by majority decision, in 2021.
The win was Mielnicki’s fourth at the Rock, and ninth straight overall.
Mielnicki, who was fighting for the second time under head trainer Ronnie Shields, is rated no. 6 by the WBA. He is promoted by Premier Boxing Champions.
Top-rated middleweight contender Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (37-5-1, 16 KOs) secured a stoppage win over Nicolas Hernandez (27-8-3, 12 KOs) in the seventh round. LaManna dominated the action and eventually the referee had seen enough and waved off the bout.
LaManna, ranked at 4 by the WBA, keeps inching closer to another world title shot after picking up his fourth win of 2023. He’s won seven fights in a row since getting knocked out in the first round by WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara back in 2021.
Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna lived up to his lofty no. 4 ranking with the WBA, dominating Nicholas Hernandez to a seventh round stoppage. LaManna (37-5-1, 16 KOs) controlled the bout the entire way, picking apart the southpaw from Reading, Pa. with uppercuts, right cross and every other punch in between.
It was the most comprehensive performance to date for the 32-year-old LaManna of Millville, N.J., who has rebuilt his standing in the sport with seven straight wins following his first round KO loss to Erislandy Lara in 2021 for the WBA middleweight title.
LaManna says he is looking to explore a fight with British middleweight Chris Eubank Jr.
Welterweight Paul Kroll (11-0-2, 7 KOs) stayed unbeaten by picking up a fourth round stoppage of Weah Archibald (10-16, 5 KOs).
Also on the card, junior middleweight prospect Dwyke Flemmings Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) returned to action and put away Luis Roman (4-4) in the first round.
