Vito Mielnicki Jr.’s immediate future could include a new weight division and an old trainer.

The 18-year old prospect will remain put at welterweight for now but envisions a trip to junior middleweight well ahead of his first career title fight. Such a move was hinted following his most recent performance,, a 3rd round knockout of Noe Lopez in a Fox-televised bout last Saturday evening at Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

“We’ll see in the next few weeks,” Mielnicki told BoxingScene.com following his latest victory. “We’ll see how my body reacts to a few days rest and coming back to the gym later next week.

“It wasn’t hard making 147. I felt big, I felt strong. My punches felt crisp. Who knows where I’m going to be in my next fight. We’re considering (a move up).”

What can be guaranteed for Mielnicki (8-0, 5KOs) will keep it local when it comes to prepare for his next fight. The Roseland, New Jersey-based boxer spent the past six months training under the tutelage of Joe Goossen in California, only to head back to the East Coast with roughly two weeks left in camp.

The two parted on amicable terms and even enjoyed a touching moment at ringside following Mielnicki’s win (Goossen serves as a color commentator for the Fox Sports boxing broadcast team). For now, however, the plan is to retain all of the lessons learned and apply it to training closer to home under original head trainer Muhammad Abdul Salaam,

“I definitely learned a lot,” Mielnicki said of his time with Goossen. “It wasn’t that it didn’t work. It’s just that I was always family oriented. I missed my mom, my [family] and just wanted to be closer to home."

“We’ll see what happens in the future. For now, I’m good where I’m at (in training).”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox