Joe Mesi: What's his story?

[HomicideHenry]

Interviewed Mesi some years back, he was selling medical supplies and equipment for a living and apparently was making a killing at it. If I'm not mistaken he was rated #4 in the world at one point. He was entertaining, but was essentially a "television fighter", a term that's misunderstood or not applied much today.

[SenorPipino]

Interviewed Mesi some years back, he was selling medical supplies and equipment for a living and apparently was making a killing at it. If I'm not mistaken he was rated #4 in the world at one point. He was entertaining, but was essentially a "television fighter", a term that's misunderstood or not applied much today.

I'm not even really sure what it means. I do know, however, that it's usually used in a derogatory way.

Ray Leonard, early in his career, was often referred to as a television fighter. I took to mean that he was simply a creation of tv and wasn't really all that good. At least not as good as the hype.

He was someone who was guaranteed to bring eyeballs (I.e. ratings) to to the television but had to be carefully matched so that he wasn't exposed.

Leonard of course went on to prove that he was far from a protected pretty boy and toppled some legendary fighters.

No, obviously Mesi was nowhere near that Leonard level but dubbing him a "television fighter" as I understand it, may be a bit harsh.

[gilgamesh]

Interviewed Mesi some years back, he was selling medical supplies and equipment for a living and apparently was making a killing at it. If I'm not mistaken he was rated #4 in the world at one point. He was entertaining, but was essentially a "television fighter", a term that's misunderstood or not applied much today.

I'm not even really sure what it means. I do know, however, that it's usually used in a derogatory way.

Ray Leonard, early in his career, was often referred to as a television fighter. I took to mean that he was simply a creation of tv and wasn't really all that good. At least not as good as the hype.

He was someone who was guaranteed to bring eyeballs (I.e. ratings) to to the television but had to be carefully matched so that he wasn't exposed.

Leonard of course went on to prove that he was far from a protected pretty boy and toppled some legendary fighters.

No, obviously Mesi was nowhere near that Leonard level but dubbing him a "television fighter" as I understand it, may be a bit harsh.

He never really seemed to be a big draw outside of Buffalo, New York where he was from. I thought he rightfully deserved to win all his fights, but his struggles with Monte Barrett and Jirov showed he wouldn't have gone much further than he did even without the career ending injury.

[SenorPipino]

I thought he was shutting out Jirov until the final 2 rounds. He showed some boxing talent.

I believe he was a good television attraction. He had 2 things going for him.

Mesi had some punching power and he was a white heavyweight. Those attributes always mean dollars.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I thought he was shutting out Jirov until the final 2 rounds. He showed some boxing talent.

I believe he was a good television attraction. He had 2 things going for him.

Mesi had some punching power and he was a white heavyweight. Those attributes always mean dollars.

How would he fair against some of the contenders today?

[SenorPipino]

I thought he was shutting out Jirov until the final 2 rounds. He showed some boxing talent.

I believe he was a good television attraction. He had 2 things going for him.

Mesi had some punching power and he was a white heavyweight. Those attributes always mean dollars.

How would he fair against some of the contenders today?

Well I'm not big on today's heavyweight crop, so I would think that Mesi could at least be competitive.

He was deceptively quick, smart and boasted a decent punch.

On the negative, Mesi had poor footwork, seemed undersized (listed at 6'1" but he appeared several inches shorter) and had suspect stamina (I always thought he could stand to drop some weight.)

His chin may have also been a question

He doesn't beat the top 2 obviously. Ortiz probably stops him too. Parker is 50/50. Povetkin handles him within 6.

I'm sure on other days, some other 2018 heavies could beat him. Or vice versa.

The Chisoras, Whytes, Charrs, and Takams are beatable opponents. Pulev probably not, unless he was as bad as he looked against Klitschko.

Fury's not in the equation until we finally see what's left of him.

Mesi wasn't a true title threat then or now (unless it's a dubious title owned by Charr or even Parker), but he at least figures to be able to hang with many of the guys out there.

[HomicideHenry]

Interviewed Mesi some years back, he was selling medical supplies and equipment for a living and apparently was making a killing at it. If I'm not mistaken he was rated #4 in the world at one point. He was entertaining, but was essentially a "television fighter", a term that's misunderstood or not applied much today.

I'm not even really sure what it means. I do know, however, that it's usually used in a derogatory way.

Ray Leonard, early in his career, was often referred to as a television fighter. I took to mean that he was simply a creation of tv and wasn't really all that good. At least not as good as the hype.

He was someone who was guaranteed to bring eyeballs (I.e. ratings) to to the television but had to be carefully matched so that he wasn't exposed.

Leonard of course went on to prove that he was far from a protected pretty boy and toppled some legendary fighters.

No, obviously Mesi was nowhere near that Leonard level but dubbing him a "television fighter" as I understand it, may be a bit harsh.

Think of someone like Ray Beltran being exclusively built on television, but always coming up short, or someone like Hank Lundy or even John Duddy. That's essentially what I mean by television fighter. Hell, even Peter McNeely was one.

[Kalan]

I thought he was shutting out Jirov until the final 2 rounds. He showed some boxing talent.

I believe he was a good television attraction. He had 2 things going for him.

Mesi had some punching power and he was a white heavyweight. Those attributes always mean dollars.

How would he fair against some of the contenders today?

Well I'm not big on today's heavyweight crop, so I would think that Mesi could at least be competitive.

He was deceptively quick, smart and boasted a decent punch.

On the negative, Mesi had poor footwork, seemed undersized (listed at 6'1" but he appeared several inches shorter) and had suspect stamina (I always thought he could stand to drop some weight.)

His chin may have also been a question

He doesn't beat the top 2 obviously. Ortiz probably stops him too. Parker is 50/50. Povetkin handles him within 6.

I'm sure on other days, some other 2018 heavies could beat him. Or vice versa.

The Chisoras, Whytes, Charrs, and Takams are beatable opponents. Pulev probably not, unless he was as bad as he looked against Klitschko.

Fury's not in the equation until we finally see what's left of him.

Mesi wasn't a true title threat then or now (unless it's a dubious title owned by Charr or even Parker), but he at least figures to be able to hang with many of the guys out there.

Gee Whiz people... I don't know where to start... Mesi couldn't beat anyone out there... Parker would crush him quickly.... Mesi went against carefully selected opponents to try to get him ranked -- like Duane Bobick fought Chuck Wepner and Co... And Marvis Frazier fought Joe Bugner... Then they mismatched them big time once they got them ranked... They got Marvis a Title Fight with Holmes... Why not??? ... He's just going to get knocked out right? And it's good money.

Monte Barrett is a guy they thought was a good entry for Mesi... A guy who couldn't box or punch very well but had a name... Nicolai Valuev even knocked Barrett out for crying out loud... Barrett even mentioned that they made the fight a 10-rounder because they didn't want to load too much responsibility on Mesi... Right... For sure Mesi would have lost a 12 rounder and I thought he lost anyway... He lost every round past the 6th.

Then you have Vasily Jirov.... Jirov was easy to hit.. Aged and fat ex-Light Heavyweight Michael Moorer knocked Jirov out of all people... Jirov would have knocked Mesi out in a 12 rounder... He was crushing him... Big 3-point round.... They wouldn't have let him come out for the 11th... That did Mesi's brain in... Bleeding on the brain is serious stuff.

Mesi had a messed up stance... He fought way too low... He had quick hands and a fair punch, but he couldn't take a punch and he went bonkers when he got hit... He'd have a heart attack and lose his poise... He had no defense at all... He had no coaching... He ran out of ideas by the 5th round... Too damned predictable and Marvis would have beaten him for sure... Maybe Bobick would have beaten him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

'Baby' Joe Mesi to be inducted into NYBHOF

Former world cruiserweight champion Al "Ice" Cole and undefeated, No.; 1 heavyweight contender "Baby" Joe Mesi are both extremely honored and grateful to be inducted, along with 21 others in the Class of 2018, into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).

The seventh annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be held Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 29, once again at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Cole (35-16-3, 16 KOs), who is from Rockland County, fought professional between 1989 and 2011, won his first 15 and 27 of his initial 28 pro fights. He captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Cruiserweight World Championship in 1992, when he won a 12-round unanimous decision over James Warring (14-1). Cole made four successful world title defenses before moving up to heavyweight.

[Tony1244]

His best win was probably David Izod. Another "hope," they come and go.

[Kalan]

Former world cruiserweight champion Al "Ice" Cole and undefeated, No.; 1 heavyweight contender "Baby" Joe Mesi are both extremely honored and grateful to be inducted, along with 21 others in the Class of 2018, into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).

Mesi, Cole, and 21 others??? Wow .... Pretty exclusive Class. I can't wait for the 2019 Class.

[oogiebe]

Former world cruiserweight champion Al "Ice" Cole and undefeated, No.; 1 heavyweight contender "Baby" Joe Mesi are both extremely honored and grateful to be inducted, along with 21 others in the Class of 2018, into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).

Mesi, Cole, and 21 others??? Wow .... Pretty exclusive Class. I can't wait for the 2019 Class.

lol! Everyone gets a participation award! LMAO!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former world cruiserweight champion Al "Ice" Cole and undefeated, No.; 1 heavyweight contender "Baby" Joe Mesi are both extremely honored and grateful to be inducted, along with 21 others in the Class of 2018, into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).

Mesi, Cole, and 21 others??? Wow .... Pretty exclusive Class. I can't wait for the 2019 Class.

it's only a state HOF

[pound per pound]

Not that I recall. Plus his win over Monte Barrett was mildly controversial. Some argued that Barrett deserved the nod. I forget how I scored it honestly, but it was close.

There wasn't really big big hitters around 2004-09..

You reckon he wouldn't have been able to step up with the likes of Chagaev, Ibragomiv, Liakhavic etc.

Sam Peter would've smashed him. James Toney would've slapped him around, and outboxed him easy. Lamon Brewster would've beaten him up.

Yeah, I think the fringe contender level was about his limit.

About right. Good guy though. Today you could argue he'd be in the top ten.

[SenorPipino]

He might win one of those coveted WBA "regular" world championships.

[oogiebe]

He might win one of those coveted WBA "regular" world championships.

LOL! I liked Mesi, but not as a fighter. I thought he was 'effective' but wasn't going to move mountains.

[actjac]

He was a white, good looking, intelligent, well spoken Italian-American from New York. He was in a position and could have coasted to a title shot ala Gerry Cooney and made a chunk of money.. . . .the name of the game is money.

[gilgamesh]

There wasn't really big big hitters around 2004-09..

You reckon he wouldn't have been able to step up with the likes of Chagaev, Ibragomiv, Liakhavic etc.

Sam Peter would've smashed him. James Toney would've slapped him around, and outboxed him easy. Lamon Brewster would've beaten him up.

Yeah, I think the fringe contender level was about his limit.

About right. Good guy though. Today you could argue he'd be in the top ten.

He actually made it into the back end of the Top 10 even back then I think with the Monte Barrett and Jirov wins, but the injuries sustained in the Jirov fight ended his career, and therefore knocked him out of the Top 10 and the sport altogether.

I think he fought 1 6 rounder a couple of years later against some unthreatening guy just to get one more win I guess, but he never made a serious return to the sport.

[oogiebe]

Mesi reminded me of a HW Boom Boom Mancini.

[Kalan]

He was a white, good looking, intelligent, well spoken Italian-American from New York. He was in a position and could have coasted to a title shot ala Gerry Cooney and made a chunk of money.. . . .the name of the game is money.

He was white, well spoken, and nice looking all right… He wasn’t very intelligent.

Mesi got beaten up the last half of the Barrett fight. A smart boxer studying that fight says “Okay, my stance is bad. My footwork looks shitty. I’ve got holes in my defense that top Heavyweights will smash through. I don’t have enough finished weapons to beat the top guys. I’m not versatile enough.” A great trainer could tell he’s not sharp enough with his jab. He’s not boxing tall enough. He’s not stepping sharply enough. He’s getting his head forward and leaning in a little squared up so he was resorting to excessive holding. Right hooks would get him against bigger and more skilled Heavyweights. You could see that vs Barrett.. He seemed to be half dead and not energetic and springy enough.

When you get beaten up, you learn more than you do running over weak opponents. You don’t go to the next level in your next fight. You fight guys who aren’t quite as good as Barrett and clean up your game. Jirov had a very tough right hook. He had a tremendous amateur background. Not the guy you want next. I could see Mesi doing well in Heavyweight Boxing, but he didn't. Better decisions and more appropriate matchmaking at that point would have helped him.

[scribbs1]

You might be intersted in this where he talks about his career including amateur fights

[Tuan_Jim]

I remember Lewis being interested in him as a challenger in 2003.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I remember Lewis being interested in him as a challenger in 2003.

Really? Was he even ready for a world title shot?

[wsbuf]

I remember Lewis being interested in him as a challenger in 2003.

Really? Was he even ready for a world title shot?

With the idea of filling the football stadium up in Buffalo? YES

[gilgamesh]

If anyone thinks Mesi wasn’t able to pick up a belt in 2005 if he hadn’t of gotten hurt.

At this time there is no Lennox. No Vitali.

You got a 35 year old Byrd.
John Ruiz
Hasim Rahman who won a vacant belt by beating Monte Barrett, a guy Mesi edged by a a round.

I would've favored all 3 against Mesi.

Mesi vs Ruiz probably would've been the most competitive. Would've depended on how motivated Rahman was if he'd won or not. If he was in one of his lethargic lackadaisical moods he might've lost a narrow decision.