The truth about Joe Mesi

I rank Wladimir as the 12th greatest heavyweight of all time, right below John L Sullivan and right above James J Jeffries. Vitali is not on my top 20 greatest heavyweights, as the only 2 good heavyweights he fought (Byrd and shot Lewis) beat him. I dont care about the circumstances in which he lost, he lost. His title reign was also a non entity. Fun fact, i rank Chris Byrd as the 20th greatest heavyweight ever, yes i believe in the end he achieved more than Vitali.

H2H I rank Wladimir 15th and Vitali 17th. I think they're both a notch below their earlier contemporary, Riddick Bowe, for an example. I think both would lose to the likes of Joe Frazier as well. (I rank Frazier 11th and Bowe 12th)

 

The fact that Mesi couldn't stop a blown up Cruiserweight that was was stopped by a old Moorer who never was a big puncher at heavyweight in his prime. Shows me that he wouldn't have a prayer with Klitschkos,Rahman or any good puncher. Mesi was the 2000's Gerry Cooney. Nothing but hype

 

The horror!!!! THE HORROR!!!!!

 

Yes Moorer was losing but somehow got a knockout. Moorer was never a big power puncher and was past his prime. Mesi couldn't stop Jirov but fat,old Moorer could.

 

wow! I put Wlad in the 5-6 range (unfortunately lol), Vitali in the 13-15 range....Byrd does not even sniff the top 25 for me and maybe not 30 although I have never taken a list past 25 to say for certain. But I know Byrd is not making my top 25 in any way shape or form although I like him quite a bit.

 

Wins against past prime Holyfield, prime Tua and prime Vitali are hard to argue against. I rate Vitali higher H2H but Byrd just beat the better names imo.

Vitali, in my eyes, is an ABC champ who was beaten by shot Lewis and who's best win is against, I dunno, Samuel Peter??? Someone who I'd have to second guess if I put on my top 50 heavyweights.

Wlad suffered from a weak era and competition in my eyes, he also never unified, which I hold against him. Wlad has good wins against Byrd, but that's about it. Also y'know

He was knocked cold against 2 journeymen and a fringe contender

 

Harsh on Vitali.

He was unlucky that he had to retire in the middle of his career for 4 years due to multiple surgeries.

The circumstances regarding his fights with Lennox and Byrd have to be taken into account. You can't just rate the wins on paper.

I liked Byrd a lot. But although he officially beat Vitali, it was more on a technicality. I don't really see how that win can be celebrated. Vitali was clearly up in the fight and in no danger of losing when he was advised to stop.

He was also unlucky against Lennox who wasn't shot. Although that too was a legitimate win, Vitali was winning that fight and Lennox had no intentions of rematching him.

Whilst I understand that you can only rate his official wins, we can't say that Byrd and Lennox were superior to him. Also, if he hadn't have retired, Wlad wouldn't have had as much success as what he did.

On a H2H basis, I rate Vitali very highly.

 

There a better argument for Wlad as a Top 5 heavy than as fitting in outside the Top 10.

The Steward controlled Wlad is a nightmare match-up for almost any heavy in history.

 

Ok, I will take you at your word . that said, while I liked Mesi's courage I don't share you view on his performances .. I think it was terrific he got out before he got hurt because that was coming bar the retirement injury or from getting it too much and not having the chin to absorb it .. he was a pretty col guy though and had some moments .

 

That honor would go to the end of the Rock/Patterson/Liston era for me. 50's/early 60's was worse than the 2000's IMO.