By Keith Terceira
A few years ago I jumped on the Mesi bandwagon because I found Joe Mesi to be a person that could help the image of boxing. Over the passing months and all the court issues and the medical case, the leaking of reports, the false stories, and the impartial reporting by one of Mesi’s hometown papers, I came to respect the Mesi’s more because they never lost their cool , at least in public.
For a while it looked as if the team of the Mesi’s and Tony Holden was going to set the heavyweight scene on fire. The bandwagon was pretty empty for the past year or so with people bailing out and the rumor mill churning out story after story.
Winning his court case in Nevada didn't stop the rumors it rekindled them with people reporting Mesi is interested in a bout with Jirov again. So we gave Joe a call and got the real deal for BoxingScene fans.
BoxingScene.com: No secret I’m a Mesi Team Fan Joe but I’m seeing a lot of negative reporting on your case and career. What are your thoughts on the bout you are trying to win to get back in the ring?
Joe Mesi; Keith, look at it this way, boxing is the only sport without a governing body to oversee everything however it is still the only sport I think that a commission or organization can prevent you from competing. The NFL can’t stop you from playing, your doctor can stop you, or can recommend and they go by a doctor’s recommendation. The NFL can’t even tell you can’t play. Look no one told Teddy Bruschi he couldn’t play again they went by the doctors call. And he had a stroke.
These are sports that are governed by good official bodies. However boxing tells you who you can and can’t fight. I’m not saying that is the way it should or shouldn’t be, however, in my personal case, obviously not. I think certain injuries need to be handled in a case by case basis, and can’t be black and white.
BoxingScene.com: A lot of your detractors throw the blame on your father, saying that he is the one pushing you to fight again, how do you respond to them?
JM: Let me tell you something, I’m glad you asked because my father is only pushing with everybody about getting me a fight for only one reason, because I told him to do that. I told him that is what I wanted him to do. My father is also a loyal father, where, believe it or not, many days he gets fed up and aggravated and he asks me if I was concerned or worried please tell him, just say the word and we are out of this game. He is only gung-ho about going forward because I asked him to be and handle that part of my career.
I have a goal to be the heavyweight champion, it’s my goal not my father’s. If I wasn’t healthy enough to accomplish that then I would change goals. I have other goals in life, you know and getting killed isn‘t one. Right now it’s to be heavyweight champion.
BoxingScene.com: Tell me what you learned about this injury?
JM: I’m already tired of this whole thing, I looked into it, I researched it, I hunted down the best and I do mean the best doctors in the country, if not the world and I didn't throw my hands up in the air and say “look no matter what anyone says I’m fighting“. This has been looked into, its been researched, and the best doctors that I've seen and examined me have backed my choice. Not one doctor that I visited told me don't go in the ring again. The commission doctors did. Not one of them examined me or looked at me thoroughly .
BoxingScene.com; When we talked in September you were speaking about a couple of tune-up fights before you were back in the top ten. Is that still the plan?
JM; Yes, after the new year I’m probably going to get out of Buffalo and go somewhere warmer to train. I’m going to take a couple of tune-up fights either off TV or on TV. We don't know where yet. We have states and countries offering me licenses. Right now I can't tell you whether it is in the US or out of the country. It won't be until probably this time next year before I’m back in the top ten. Back to the fighter I was two years ago.
BoxingScene.com; Are you still under contract to HBO for fights?
JM; It is a touchy thing right there , I know we owe them a fight but in recent conversations, let’s say I’m not sure how we stand right now. We do have permission to fight on other networks before we give them that fight.
BoxingScene.com; What is your relationship with Tony Holden now?
JM; Our relationship is great, Tony and I are great friends. In the last 22 months I have been back and forth to Oklahoma a dozen times. We are in constant discussion about promoting together. I think we will promote together whether I’m a fighter or not. We are very good friends and he will remain a close advisor. Will he ever promote me again, I don't know. He will always be involved with my career.
BoxingScene.com; A lot is being written about you and Vassily Jirov fighting again. What are your thoughts on that?
JM; Yeah. I read that on the internet and I don't know where that came from. Someone must have asked if I wanted a rematch. Jirov doesn't do anything for my career, he has lost a few fights and let’s face it, a rematch benefits Jirov more than me. Of course if the money was right I would consider it. I would beat him again if we did.
The fight really is Rahman and myself, we are both marketable in this area of the country and we have an amateur history having split the two fights in the past. I think it is the most entertaining fight and he is probably the best out there right now. There are other good fighters for tough fights like the seven foot Russian Valuev and Ruiz always brings it, though he is a little dirty and holds too much, but style wise Rahman and I would be the fight. I want at least four fights in 06 and get to be the fighter I was and then we can start discussions on that.
BoxingScene.com: How do you see you and Wladimir?
JM; I always saw Wladimir as the more skillful of the two brothers, I think Vitali had the better conditioning and Wlad the better skill. I think we will have to meet during my climb to meet my goal.
I don't know if Wladimir has the heart or stamina. Vitali had a little something extra there. Vitali I thought was a better match for me. Better for my style. There is no fight out there that I don't like. They are all tough fights.
BoxingScene.com; Thanks for your time Joe and best of luck in 2006.
JM: Stay in touch, Keith and thanks to you and BoxingScene for sticking with us.
KTerceira@boxingscene.com