Joe Mesi: “I want my opportunity to become heavyweight champ!”
 INTERVIEW By Benny Henderson Jr (Nov 30, 2007) Doghouse Boxing
If you have been in or around boxing for the past few years you should recognize the name “Baby” Joe Mesi 36-0 (29), a former number one contender with a spotless record who tallied up twenty-eight consecutive victories before suffering a subdural hematoma March of 2003 in his unanimous decision victory over Vassiliy Jirov. Due to the bleeding on the brain Mesi’s boxing license was suspended eleven days after the Jirov bout, then after a two year hiatus from the ring and countless attempts to regain his license Mesi made his way back to the ring in Puerto Rico.
Since his return Mesi has banged out seven consecutive victories and has been granted license in six different states, now after his one round destruction over Shannon Miller, the Buffalo boxer has been ranked #16 in the WBC, and is ready for his shot at a heavyweight title. Mesi took the time out to speak to Doghouse Boxing and gave his thoughts on his new ranking as well as his future, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.
First off happy belated birthday, you were just bumped up in the WBC rankings, now you hold the 16th position, the same sanctioning body who had you ranked #1 a few years back. What are your thoughts on getting your ranking, must boast your morale a bit?
Joe Mesi
Thank you. It’s great, for the first time in my career with this past win over Shannon Miller I feel like I am back on track, and I feel like I am back to where my career was in 2004. It took along time for me to get reinstated but once I did it still moved rather slowly. I needed tune up fight and needed to get back in condition and get my timing with five or six relative easy fights. For the first time in my career I feel like now I am back on track, now with this new ranking I feel even
better. The WBC has said on record that this is our number one contender, he was bumped down to inactivity, and he never lost a fight. We are going to take special consideration for this kid and his record. And it appreciated it that my record and good standing is being noticed again.
BH
2007 was a good year for you, you tallied up three first round victories and now have the ranking, what can we expect from Mesi in 2008?
JM
I am hoping ’08 will be my year, what I a more looking forward to is my title opportunity I think in my career I have lost two opportunities due to injury or legal situations. So I am looking for a title opportunity. Am I the best heavyweight in the world, I don’t know if I am the best heavyweight in the world but I tell you what, I can become heavyweight champion. I have a lot more to offer the heavyweight division than what most heavyweights do. My fights are really exciting while some of these fights put you to sleep. I sell a lot of tickets and a lot of these guys cannot sell two tickets, I generate money for me and my opponent, I have a lot to offer and I think it is time that I get paid back for that and give the people the excitement they are looking for.
BH
You spoke on getting back in the mix of things, since your return in 2006 you have slowly stepped up in competition, it’s the right thing to do with a two year lay off. But now with your ranking and with you being pretty much a busy fighter it is safe to say that you are ready to step it up in competition. You have anybody in mind?
JM
I needed to come back slowly, it was a long lay off and I did not have any activity during the lay off. So every one of my fights the last year to year and a half has been ok with people because I needed. And now that we are sixteen in the world and ready physically, mentally and rated we are ready to step up and be talked about as one of the better heavyweights in the world and try to get the better competition. The timing is now, my birthday was yesterday, but I am a young thirty-four, I started boxing late and I have not lost any fights let alone hardly any rounds, I feel wonderful.
BH
Since your return you have been licensed by six states, none of which being what I would call a money market. Being as honest as possible do you feel you will ever get your license back in the major states, your home of New York being one.
JM
I do, I can’t say right now but there has been some other commissions that are looking at me and considering licensing me and I think that every win I get and license I get will open more doors. Will I ever fight in New York or Nevada again I cannot answer that question, but I am really working hard in trying to get back to the state of New York where I am from and get those eighteen thousand tickets sold again, but, does that mean I cannot become world champion? No, I can become world champion anywhere, but the sport is missing out, I am missing out my opponents are missing out and the fans of western New York are missing out, we have to get back into New York State and we are going to try to get something done about that very soon.
BH
You speak on getting that title shot, so what are thoughts on the heavyweight division at this time and its major players?
JM
People say it is wide open, it is not wide open there are some good heavyweights out there, and there are tough fights out there. But it is for the taking and I think a lot of things happen and titles come and go, again I want my opportunity to become heavyweight champ. There are some good guys out there, I am a realist, I know how I would like to fight and who would be a problem, but I am not afraid of anybody out there. There is no style out there; there are good fighters but no style. No styles like Mike Tyson, Larry Homes or Ali, good fighters but not captivating style that has taken over the division. That is what the division is lacking right now, am I that star, I don’t think so but again I have a lot more to offer than these others guys do.
BH
Do you know when we can expect you back?
JM
We are looking for a fight in January, where and when I don’t have the details but I can get in touch with you when I do, but we are looking for mid January. I have been training all along and we are looking for a step up in competition in January.
BH
I was speaking with fellow heavyweight Brian Minto, he said he would love to climb in the ring with you.
JM
We are in discussions now, Brian is a great guy and a good fighter, and I think it will be a great fight for both of our careers. We are looking to do that in early 2008.
BH
What are your thoughts on some of the young guns in the division, some that are starting to come up in the division like David Rodriguez, JD Chapman.
JM
David Rodriguez is a sparring partner of mine and I think he is a real strong kid and I think he has a bright future. I don’t think JD Chapman has enough experience or enough power; he is not quite as strong as somebody like Rodriguez. He does have a lot to offer the sport and he should not give it up but I do not see any world title shots in his future.
BH
Anything in closing?
JM
I thank the fans for being patient, I am back and I think 2008 will be my year.
I would like to thank Joe Mesi for taking the time out to give his time and thoughts to Doghouse Boxing, for more info on Mesi please check out www.babyjoemesi.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2007
|
|
|
