Joe Mesi...what should be his next step?

[Marciano Frazier]

Well, he'll probably take on another hand-picked ham-and-egger on the 27th and blow him out. After that, he's supposed to fight Minto in October, and then, if he wins, maybe the long-rumored fight with Rahman will materialize at the end of the year or the beginning of next year, since both guys are making comebacks and have been talking about facing each other recently. A win in that match would probably get him a shot at a major belt, what with his being a popular white American with drawing power, a 38-0(by this time) record and wins over a semi-name opponent(Minto) and ex-champion(Rahman). Out of the current beltholders, I think he'd probably have the best chance against Maskaev or Ibragimov.

[Brickhaus]

Mesi ain't getting a title shot unless it's mandated, so if that's what he's looking for, he should target a title, and try to gun down the weakest ranked guys under that sanctioning org. Since he'll never be able to get licensed anywhere with a commission that's serious about fighters' health (and thus no fights in New York, Nevada, England, Germany, etc.), it'll be a tall order for him, and it also means that he won't get a title shot because none of the champions will want to fight in a second-tier market where their purse will be much smaller.

By the way, why is it that so many people call for Mesi to retire because of his health issues and they're not also calling for Edwin Valero to retire? Valero had the same damn problem as Mesi, only his problem was caused by a motorcycle accident rather than by another fighter's fists....

[Bummy Davis]

I like Joe and was impressed with the way he smashed TOS but the back of the head shots of Jirov and the results on his tests, If he were my Son,I would hope he would find another carreer

[Malph]

He should retire. I hate to say it, but if he gets in with a heavy-handed top-level guy again (not a Byrd) he is probably going to get seriously injured. Time for him open up a pizza place or someting.

[la-califa]

Tommy Morrison..The loser should promise to retire & stay there.

[C Money]

Hasim Rahman.

They have a split between them in the amateurs 1-1, and they are both old name fighters now. It would be a pretty big draw somewhere in New york state Plus Rahman throws so few punches per round, there's less chance of Mesi being hurt.

[Brickhaus]

Originally Posted by C Money

Hasim Rahman.

They have a split between them in the amateurs 1-1, and they are both old name fighters now. It would be a pretty big draw somewhere in New york state Plus Rahman throws so few punches per round, there's less chance of Mesi being hurt.

Too bad New York won't license Mesi.

[C Money]

Originally Posted by Brickhaus

Too bad New York won't license Mesi.

Hpw bout PA or conneticut?? Both are reasonable distance from their regional fanbases

[Marciano Frazier]

Originally Posted by Brickhaus

Mesi ain't getting a title shot unless it's mandated, so if that's what he's looking for, he should target a title, and try to gun down the weakest ranked guys under that sanctioning org. Since he'll never be able to get licensed anywhere with a commission that's serious about fighters' health (and thus no fights in New York, Nevada, England, Germany, etc.), it'll be a tall order for him, and it also means that he won't get a title shot because none of the champions will want to fight in a second-tier market where their purse will be much smaller.

If Mesi were to establish himself as a legitimate contender again(like beating Minto and Rahman), a fight for a belt would be a big media event- after all, he is a white American heavyweight with a very impressive undefeated record, a huge amount of publicity and a dramatic storyline. A lot of the people who think he'd be killed would probably even buy the fight out of morbid curiosity. The main obstacle is the difficulty getting a big-stage commission to sanction the fight.

By the way, why is it that so many people call for Mesi to retire because of his health issues and they're not also calling for Edwin Valero to retire? Valero had the same damn problem as Mesi, only his problem was caused by a motorcycle accident rather than by another fighter's fists....

Because Mesi is a high-profile heavyweight who suffered the injury publicly. Truth be told, this is an enormous double-standard. Just tonight on Friday Night fights, we saw a guy who's been knocked out 14 times get brutally knocked out, be put into a neckbrace and carried out of the ring on a stretcher. Surely this guy's suffered a heck of a lot more damage to his brain than Mesi, who's never even lost! Why is there not an outcry going around for him to be banned for life and never commissioned to fight again? There are dozens of fighters all around the world who've been knocked out 10 times or more and doubtless suffered far worse brain injuries than Mesi who are sanctioned to fight every year. Remember that most fighters don't get MRI's after their matches- there may well be hundreds of pro boxers out there right now who've suffered minor brain bleeding before and returned to the ring, for all we know.

But Mesi is a famous, popular heavyweight who actually takes a little more interest in his own health than most others by going to the doctor and getting MRI's after his matches, so when he's found to have suffered slight brain bleeding, it's "IF HE EVER FIGHTS AGAIN HE'LL BE KILLED AND BOXING WILL BE BANNED!!!!!!!!" And meanwhile, numerous fighters who are far less capable of defending themselves, have suffered far more punishment and whose brains are probably in far worse condition are allowed to fight without even a passing question.

[KO byBRIGGS]

retirement

My thoughts exactly.

[Action]

I would give him the opportunity to show well in a couple of higher profile bouts. If he proves himself then he should go for it and if he doesn't then retire and go into broadcasting or politics (or both).

[El Bombasto]

Keep knocking out bums until he gets the call

[rodney]

Fight all his fights in Buffalo.
Bring in a "Bum" for him every 2 weeks.
(make sure the "Bum" knows to make it look good).
Mesi makes money and all those dumb Buffalo ****s happy.
They think he's for real.
Never fight anybody any good unless they are paid to lose.
He could probably go on forever that way.
Maybe retire undefeated 100 - 0.

[El Bombasto]

Originally Posted by rodney

Fight all his fights in Buffalo.
Bring in a "Bum" for him every 2 weeks.
(make sure the "Bum" knows to make it look good).
Mesi makes money and all those dumb Buffalo ****s happy.
They think he's for real.
Never fight anybody any good unless they are paid to lose.
He could probably go on forever that way.
Maybe retire undefeated 100 - 0.

I suppose you're not a fan

[sdsfinest22]

Fight A Top 15 Contender....it Would Make Sense..if He Can Win Convincingly Than He Should Try A Top 10...but I Dont See Him Beating A Top 15 To Convincingly