Vito Mielnicki Jr vs. Connor Coyle: Live round-by-round updates

Vito Mielnicki Jr. and Connor Coyle will open the ESPN broadcast of a stacked fight card on Feb. 14 at Madison Square Garden’s Theater. This 10-round middleweight bout pits a young, promising American against an undefeated but largely untested Irish veteran.

Mielnicki (20-1, 12 KOs) has been on a 12-fight win streak since suffering his only career loss in April 2021. At 22, he is stepping up to the middleweight division, looking to make a statement.

Coyle (21-0, 9 KOs), who is ranked third by the WBA, is eyeing a potential title shot against Erislandy Lara. He has steadily built his record but has yet to face an opponent of Mielnicki’s caliber. His technical European style will be tested against the aggressive and athletic Mielnicki, who has been sharpening his skills under the guidance of Ronnie Shields.

Mielnicki’s last performance against Khalil El Harraz was labeled underwhelming by fans after he went the full 10 rounds in a majority decision win. He looks to erase that memory with a dominant showing against Coyle. Meanwhile, Coyle understands that this is his biggest opportunity yet, and a win could push him into world title contention.

The fight card begins Friday at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The main card airs at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for live coverage and play-by-play updates of the Vito Mielnicki Jr vs. Connor Coyle clash:

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Round 1

Coyle opens the fight with a few quick jabs. Mielnicki lands body jabs and a short hook. Mielnicki seems like the busier fighter in the opening sequences. Double jab lands for Coyle. A level change combination from Mielnicki as he lands one to the body and one up top. A strong jab from Coyle but Mielnicki lands a few jabs and a straight right to seal the round.

Our Score: 10-9 Mielnicki

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Round 2

Coyle and Mielnicki trade jabs but wait! Mielnicki lands a solid overhand right that stifles Coyle. He follows up with a strong combination and just misses on the uppercut. Coyle seems to have regained his composure as he lands two jabs a straight right to the body. Mielnicki is loading up on the overhand right, perhaps recognizing that it can be the decisive punch of the fight. He lands another stiff overhand right that snaps Coyle's head back.

Our Score: 10-9 Mielnicki, 20-18 overall

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Round 3

Coyle trying to capture the centre of the ring to let his hands go. Mielnicki lands multiple jabs and misses with the left hook. Mielnicki just misses with the uppercut. He lands a looping right hand and digging shot to the body. Coyle overturns the momentum in the closing seconds of the round, stringing together a volume combination to keep Mielnicki at bay.

Our Score: 10-9 Mielnicki, 30-27 overall

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Round 4

Coyle is dictating the pace of the fight in the fourth round. He swarms in with a straight right and a beautiful tracking left hand that catches Mielnicki's attention. He misses with the uppercut and this is a dog fight now. Coyle finding great success fighting inside in range. He seems to have found his rhythm and hurts Mielnicki with a strong punch. He bags this round despite the cut over his left eyebrow. What a well-contested round!

Our Score: 10-9 Coyle, 39-37 overall

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Round 5

Coyle wants this to be a brawling contest, while Mielnicki is trying to return to a straight-point contest. The pace has dropped in the round, with both fighters sticking to their jabs and occasional overhand right.

Our Score: 10-9 Mielnicki, 49-46 overall

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Round 6

Coyle's punches picking have some more sting behind them. Mielnicki seems content with his strategic approach. His feints are working and he seems to have taken over the fight. Beautiful combination from Mielnicki, a double jab and a straight right that stifles Coyle.

Our Score: 10-9 Mielnicki, 59-55 overall

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Round 7

Mielnicki doubles down on his jab attacks. He's just missing with the overhand right and left hook. Coyle needs to let his hands go and hunt the finish if he wants to secure a win. Strong three-punch combination lands for Mielnicki. He lands a solid uppercut and Coyle fires back with a fiery combination. Blood leaking from Coyle's nose as the fighters pick up the pace in this round.

Our Score: 10-9 Mielnicki, 69-64 overall

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Round 8

Snapping strikes from Coyle, a body-head-body combination that captures the attention of Mielnicki. Jabs to the body and straight rights from Mielnicki. A left hook and right uppercut land for Coyle. Nice uppercut and right hand from Mielnicki. A great end to a competitive round where Coyle showed signs of turning the fight around.

Our Score: 10-9 Mielnicki, 79-73 overall

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Round 9

Coyle needs to make this an ugly fight and step in range to string together combinations. The fighters are trading leather in range as Mielnicki lands a left hook to the body and head. This is a close-range fight right now. Boyle counters Mielnicki's right hand with a beautiful combination.

Our Score: 10-9 Mielnicki, 89-82 overall

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Round 10

Mielnicki wants to punctuate the performance with a solid showing in the last round. He lands solid jabs and straight rights to the body. His punches have visibly had an impact on Coyle. Beautiful overhand right and uppercut from Mielnicki. What a finish to an entertaining clash!

Our Score: 10-9 Mielnicki, (99-91 overall Vito Mielnicki Jr)

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Official Result

Vito Mielnicki Jr and Connor Coyle settle for a majority draw (96-94, 95-95, and 95-95)