Unknown user at 00:00, 1 January 2005

2005-01-01T00:00:00Z

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A wise television executive once said that there was boxing and then there was heavyweight boxing and the 22-year-old Alexis Mejias is definitely the future of heavyweight boxing.

You can�t teach height, but Mejias has it at six-feet-four-inches. You can�t teach power, but one left hook during the first round of his pro debut answered that question. He scored a first-round knockout, but the knockout puzzled his trainer.

"I thought his right hand was his best punch until that left hook," said trainer Diego Rosario. "Now, I don�t know what to think."

"I think I need to work on my combinations and perfect my jab," says Mejias.

Duva Boxing may have the best-kept secret coming out of the amateur ranks.

"He is a great prospect," said boxing Hall of Famer Lou Duva and Mejias� manager. Duva helped guide one Evander Holyfield to cruiserweight and heavyweight championships so he knows heavyweights. "He tries like hell and listens and he�s an exciting fighter. He also has a good trainer in Diego Rosario."

Mejias fought in the Puerto Rican Olympic Trials and his last amateur bout was held at JFK High School in Paterson last November, when he wrapped up his amateur career with a 15-2 mark. In one of his losses, Mejias weighed 130 pounds while the other loss was at heavyweight. At 22, Mejias totally absorbs his ring lessons.

"You don�t have to tell Alexis the same thing over and over," said Rosario, who went to Puerto Rico for Duva Boxing to scout Mejias. "You tell him something and he picks it up right away. He�s easy to teach."

Even Mejias� intangibles have impressed Rosario.

"The first thing I look for in a fighter is a heart," said Rosario. "He has it and a lot of ability. Of course he�s green but he has the style, the boxer/puncher style, of an Evander Holyfield and a Lennox Lewis."

Rosario also noted that the still growing Mejias "can punch with both hands."

Mejias trains at the Joe Grier Gym in Paterson.

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Unknown user at 00:00, 1 January 2005