I say Mesi. He looked awesome against TOS Williamson and beat him much easier than Wlad and Byrd did a few fights later. David Izon, Monte Barrett, and Jirov were also good wins. Povetkin is at the same stage Mesi was when he got injured against Jirov. He's beaten some good fighters too, probably about the same level as Mesi. I just think Mesi was more impressive at that stage and has that standout victory. Povetkin turning down a title shot also did not leave a good impression on me.
For most of his tenure in boxing, Joe Mesi fought journeymen, and not very credible ones at that, in backwater locations. 90% of his resume is substantially meaningless. In my opinion, his progression was carefully crafted in Booth-like fashion (Adam Booth, that is).
