18.03.04 – By Ron Widelec – Buffalo’s favorite son, Joe Mesi, once again squeaked out a close decision victory over a mediocre heavyweight. After all the talk, Mesi has shown himself to be an exciting fighter with very limited prospects. At this point, we should all be waiting for the axe to drop; the time when Mesi steps in the ring with a seasoned top ranked foe and leaves on his back.
Mesi improved to 29-0, with 25 knockouts, but was nearly knocked out himself in the process. After dominated the first three quarters of the fight, Mesi was hurt badly in the 9th round. By the 10th it appeared that Baby Joe would not survive the fight. He was holding his ribs, as so many Jirov opponents have done, and was taking a severe beating to the head. In the end he made it to the bell, but not before getting knocked down two times.
Jirov looked totally outclassed for much of the fight. He attempted to use his brawling body punch style that served him so well at 190 pounds. While this technique worked very well on the smaller cruiserweights, it proved mostly unsuccessful, even on a smallish heavyweight like Mesi. Jirov is obviously not a heavyweight, and needs to seriously consider moving back down to cruiserweight, which should not be too difficult considering the increased weight limit.
As a heavyweight, Mesi is in a similar position. If Jirov nearly knocked him out, a legitimate heavyweight puncher could prove too much for Mesi. Talks of Tyson are unlikely, as Tyson may never fight again. After the fight, Mesi made it clear that despite his one-point victory, he did not feel the need for a rematch and planned to move on and increase the level of difficulty in his progression as a heavyweight contender. However, while he may be progressing up the heavyweight rankings, he does not appear to be progressing as a fighter. As a small heavyweight he needs to have something more to survive in the division. Roy Jones had tremendous speed (and didn’t stay for long anyway), Holyfield had inhuman toughness, Moorer had speed and amazing power, Tyson was a monster puncher, and Byrd has the best defensive skills in the division. Mesi has decent power, fair skills, a shaky questionable chin, and average speed. Not exactly an equation for success as the little guy in a big mans division.
If Mesi wants to compete with guys like the Klitschkos, Tua, and Rahman, he better take some more learning-experience type fights. Otherwise, his heavyweight championship debut will also be his retirement party.
Any Questions or Comments… Email me at Beowolf88@aol.com