Joe Mesi.

I really would have loved to see a non faded 205-210lb Jirov at HW circa 2003 or to have seen a Jones Jr vs Jirov match in 2002-03 which was mentioned

Most of Jirov's CW career (190limit) was spent with him weighing between 186-192. When he got up over 195 he became noticably sluggish.

I never would have thought it but Adamek carries his weight alot better than Jirov did. He just has a bigger frame i suppose. A prime for prime fight at 185-190 between those two would be one of the first fantasy matchups i would want to see.

 

Jirov was 30 when he fought mesi and not too far removed from the epic battle with Toney. Don't think he was too faded. He should've got the w over mesi, but i'm not saying adamek ain't better than that jirov, just that he wasn't shot imo. and moorer just caught jirov (moorer was still dangerous).

back on topic, Mesi was at the level of monte barret and jirov as those fights were very close. He was top 10-15 in the mid 2000's (not exactly the golden age of hws)

 

He was an overrated fighter with a padded record who got exposed against the first live bodies he fought.

 

Baby Joe was a top 10 guy in 03, and had good potential. But I think he was genetically predisposed to that type of injury, and that is KO to any fighter.

As for how he would fare against the current top guys.

Either Klitschko KOs him, but he definitely whoops Haye, Adamek would be a tough hill to climb, so Id call that a pickum, and the rest of the div is also in the air.

But if he were still fighting today, without the head injury, he'd easily win the WBA, koing Haye like a schoolgirl.

 

I loved watching him fight he had some great KO's

But he showed weakness Barret had him down almost won the fight

Was beating Jirov before suffering several KD's and almost lsot on cards in a fight he dominated

I feel that he was good but wasnt gonna win a belt in 07 Rahman or Maskaev had the belt and I couldnt see him doing that

I think Sergey or Briggs had the WBO not winning there

Wlad had the IBF and Mesi wouldn't win there

Valuev had the wBA

Mesi was a bit over matched good enough to be the number 1 guy without a strap but not good enough to get one

 

They are of a different generation though.

My dream fight that actually could have happened (very small window though) would be Jirov vs Michalczewski at 185 lbs. That would have been a great war. :bbb

 

This guy Msei should reside in European. He's just like those Euro-bums Calzaghe, Froch, and Kessler.

 

If anyone was wondering, Mesi is in fact permanently finished in the boxing ring - as a competitor.

[url]http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2010-10-05-3985016334_x.htm[/url]