The Audition: Bryce Mills hopes his ‘unconventional journey’ ends in a title shot

Bryce Mills has had to learn on the job as a pro boxer and is now auditioning for a big fight.

Mills faces Tobias Green on Saturday night in a 10-round junior welterweight fight from the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. It will be Mills’ seventh fight at the venue. 

Mills, 20-1 (7 KOs), had a limited amateur career, as he focused mostly on kickboxing during his teenage years. After turning pro, the 24-year-old from Liverpool, New York found he had to develop his skills under the bright lights. It wasn’t always easy, as his record shows; he lost his seventh fight via a split decision to Ryan Pino. 

A win on Saturday, however, will secure him a top-20 ranking with the WBC. That might not seem like a lot to some, but for Mills, that means he gets a chance at some of the bigger names.

“A top-20 ranking in the WBC rankings means you have bigger things for you, and even a potential title shot,“ Mills told BoxingScene. “This is the fight that is finally going to put me in the mix with some of the top guys in the world.” 

Mills’ recent run includes a road win over Daiyaan Butt in Philadelphia, as well as wins over crafty veterans such as Mike Ohan Jnr and Gerffred Ngayot. But the biggest win of all was a first-round knockout of Aaron Aponte, a former high-profile prospect.

“It has been a very unconventional journey,” Mills said. “I didn’t come up with a big promoter. This job was costing me money early on. It didn’t start to get glamorous until a handful of fights ago.”

Mills is complimentary of Green, 12-3-1 (4 KOs). Mills recalled watching the 29-year-old Green fight Andrew Rodgers. The bout, which was Green’s last fight in July 2024, ended in a majority draw. 

“By round three, it looked like Rocky IV,” Mills said. “It was an entertaining fight to watch, and he is an entertaining fighter.”

Mills also noted that it will be an honor to be featured on a Manny Pacquiao Promotions card and is excited about the possibility of fighting in front of the Hall of Fame boxer. One thing is for sure, Mills believes that if Green comes with the same game plan he did with Rodgers that it will benefit him.

“I hope he does come to slug and sit in the pocket with me, because those are my favorite types of fights,” Mills said. “It is going to be a fun night.”