Is Joe Mesi for real?

Mark42661 · 06-25-2003, 02:02 AM

Watched Tuesday Night Fights tonight and I was very impressed with Joe Mesi's 1st round KO of Robert Davis. Davis is usually a pretty durable fighter and looked to be in good shape. I thought Mesi looked very sharp and am anxious to see how he does against a top 10 fighter. His handlers must think he's ready for that level of competition, because he was calling out Hasim Rahman, who was at ringside and said he'd love to fight anyone in the top 10. What do you guys think? Is he a legitimate threat for the title?

PittPanther · 06-25-2003, 06:13 AM

No. I'm not sold. However, that being said he might surprise me when he moves up in competition.

Essentially, the verdict is still out.

jas80s · 06-25-2003, 02:23 PM

Before last night I didn't have a whole lot of interest in seeing Joe Mesi fight period. However, after that performance I would very much like to see him get a shot at a top 10 guy. As is always the case in situations like this, I see two questions that need to be answered. First, how will he respond when he gets tagged by a top level heavyweight? Second, how will he respond when he tags an opponent and he takes it and comes back with his own shots? The only way to answer these questions is to see him in there with a top-ranked heavy. What the heck, off of this performance I think he's earned the chance.......I for one, look forward to it.

Rasmuth · 06-25-2003, 11:05 PM

Mesi always shows up in shape and ready...his dedication is certainly there...and as time goes on it appears his talent may be real too...but it's time for him to face top 10 competition

Cap · 06-25-2003, 11:09 PM

I noticed they didn't mention David Tua or Chris Byrd as possible opponents (or was I yawning when their names came up?). How about Kirk Johnson? Oops! They didn't mention him either. Or Corrie Sanders, either. Hmm. Guess that leaves Rahman and Holyfield, except Holyfield is fighting Toney in October. How about Wlad Klitschko? Or Jameel McCline? Or Sam Langford? We could make "that" fight today, thanks to TF2K1.

Cap

Jim Trunzo · 06-26-2003, 09:05 AM

My take on Mesi is that he has two excellent ingredients: intelligence and desire. Those elements can take you a long way; however, they can't make up for a poor chin or a lack of power. On the prior, it's still tough to say. His opposition hasn't been of a high enough quality to pass judgement. I would guess that it's good but not great - though it probably is as good as Rahman's or W. Klitschko. His power looks impressive and I agree that Davis was a good test. I loath saying this but you have to believe that the powers that be want Mesi to succeed. Does that affect anything? I don't believe he has the "big fight" experience to handle the pressure of a fight with, say, a Tyson or Tua right now but he's getting close. Rahman would be another test as would some of the younger heavyweights that are on the rise.

ucclark · 06-26-2003, 05:28 PM

Personally, I wish that more of these "prospects" would get matched up with each other, so they could be weeded out a little.

Matchups I'd like to see for Joe Mesi:

1. DaVarryl "Touch of Sleep" Williamson - He would test Mesi's chin, and his ability to deal with a taller, rangier opponent. Mesi would test Williamson's chin and his ability to step back properly to avoid an oncoming opponent (hint: it ain't straight back, with your hands down). The winner would have to be considered a real potential contender (although Williamson has a small window because of his age)/

2. Hasim Rahman - a big "name" fighter whose long jab could be real trouble. Would be a great test of Mesi's chin and heart.

3. Fres Oquendo - only because I am curious to see how Mesi would fare against a boxer, and he isn't ready for Byrd.

4. Jameel McCline - McCline is a great baseline for testing a fighter with designs of ever going after Lewis, because McCline has copied heavily from Lewis' style (with less skill).

I give Mesi a 50-50 chance with Williamson or Oquendo, somewhat less vs. Rahman or McCline.

cubedrum · 06-26-2003, 05:35 PM

Unfortunately he'll probably fight another blown up cruiserweight, or another washed up former contender. My guess is Mo Harris or Jeremy Williams.

Cube

06-25-2003, 02:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mark42661 All Star Reserve Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 550	Is Joe Mesi for real? Watched Tuesday Night Fights tonight and I was very impressed with Joe Mesi's 1st round KO of Robert Davis. Davis is usually a pretty durable fighter and looked to be in good shape. I thought Mesi looked very sharp and am anxious to see how he does against a top 10 fighter. His handlers must think he's ready for that level of competition, because he was calling out Hasim Rahman, who was at ringside and said he'd love to fight anyone in the top 10. What do you guys think? Is he a legitimate threat for the title?

06-25-2003, 06:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
PittPanther All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,174	No. I'm not sold. However, that being said he might surprise me when he moves up in competition. Essentially, the verdict is still out. __________________ Commitment Teamwork Pride Hail to Pitt!

06-25-2003, 11:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rasmuth All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Upstate Western NY Posts: 1,214	Mesi always shows up in shape and ready...his dedication is certainly there...and as time goes on it appears his talent may be real too...but it's time for him to face top 10 competition __________________ http://indiemusicworks.com/forum/artists/members/50/ http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...?bandID=250426

06-25-2003, 11:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cap Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Large Province in God's Country Posts: 4,004	I noticed they didn't mention David Tua or Chris Byrd as possible opponents (or was I yawning when their names came up?). How about Kirk Johnson? Oops! They didn't mention him either. Or Corrie Sanders, either. Hmm. Guess that leaves Rahman and Holyfield, except Holyfield is fighting Toney in October. How about Wlad Klitschko? Or Jameel McCline? Or Sam Langford? We could make "that" fight today, thanks to TF2K1. Cap __________________ "...There were Giants in Those Days.." Last edited by Cap : 06-25-2003 at 11:12 PM.

06-26-2003, 05:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
cubedrum All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 877	Unfortunately he'll probably fight another blown up cruiserweight, or another washed up former contender. My guess is Mo Harris or Jeremy Williams. Cube __________________ "If you build a man a fire, he stays warm for one day. If you set a man on fire, he stays warm for the rest of his life" - Edgar Frog

06-25-2003, 02:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
jas80s Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 174	Before last night I didn't have a whole lot of interest in seeing Joe Mesi fight period. However, after that performance I would very much like to see him get a shot at a top 10 guy. As is always the case in situations like this, I see two questions that need to be answered. First, how will he respond when he gets tagged by a top level heavyweight? Second, how will he respond when he tags an opponent and he takes it and comes back with his own shots? The only way to answer these questions is to see him in there with a top-ranked heavy. What the heck, off of this performance I think he's earned the chance.......I for one, look forward to it.

06-26-2003, 09:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jim Trunzo OOTP Developments Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Leechburg, PA Posts: 740	My take on Mesi is that he has two excellent ingredients: intelligence and desire. Those elements can take you a long way; however, they can't make up for a poor chin or a lack of power. On the prior, it's still tough to say. His opposition hasn't been of a high enough quality to pass judgement. I would guess that it's good but not great - though it probably is as good as Rahman's or W. Klitschko. His power looks impressive and I agree that Davis was a good test. I loath saying this but you have to believe that the powers that be want Mesi to succeed. Does that affect anything? I don't believe he has the "big fight" experience to handle the pressure of a fight with, say, a Tyson or Tua right now but he's getting close. Rahman would be another test as would some of the younger heavyweights that are on the rise.

06-26-2003, 05:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
ucclark Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 221	Personally, I wish that more of these "prospects" would get matched up with each other, so they could be weeded out a little. Matchups I'd like to see for Joe Mesi: 1. DaVarryl "Touch of Sleep" Williamson - He would test Mesi's chin, and his ability to deal with a taller, rangier opponent. Mesi would test Williamson's chin and his ability to step back properly to avoid an oncoming opponent (hint: it ain't straight back, with your hands down). The winner would have to be considered a real potential contender (although Williamson has a small window because of his age)/ 2. Hasim Rahman - a big "name" fighter whose long jab could be real trouble. Would be a great test of Mesi's chin and heart. 3. Fres Oquendo - only because I am curious to see how Mesi would fare against a boxer, and he isn't ready for Byrd. 4. Jameel McCline - McCline is a great baseline for testing a fighter with designs of ever going after Lewis, because McCline has copied heavily from Lewis' style (with less skill). I give Mesi a 50-50 chance with Williamson or Oquendo, somewhat less vs. Rahman or McCline.

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