snuffbox 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Tonight on HBO - couple of pretty good looking fights. Shane Mosely and Winky Wright will unify the 154lb titles for the first time ever. Should be an interesting, competitive fight. Also Joe Mesi fights his toughest challeng yet in Vassilly Jirov. I predict blood for the undercard. Any opinons, thoughts, others watching? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 13, 2004 I predict lots of blood on the undercard. I'm predicting two decision victories tonight. One for Jirrov and one for Mosley. I know more about Mesi/Jirrov going in so I'll comment on that: Mesi may be my hometown guy...and I actually do believe there is talent there...but he's facing a lefty and a more talented fighter than he's stepped in the ring with. What makes this fight great is that it should just be a war. One of the guys could get knocked out by a series of punches...but I don't think either can knock the other out with one shot...so it should be a nice long fight with two guys who will stand and throw. I know that Mesi showed up to the weighin in the best shape of his career at 227. Which is lighter than I expected. Jirrov came in at 212...heavier than I expected...and my paper said he looked fit, but slightly puffy. After last fight's lack of effort in late rounds against Barrett...I'm not shocked that Mesi took his training more seriously. But he better be ready to go the distance, or Jirrov will just take all the late rounds and he'll lose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheHulkster Report post Posted March 13, 2004 Mesi looks jacked. He came in a bit pudgy for the Barrett fight, but not tonight. Mesi is too powerful for the cruiserweight Jirov. Jirov could pull it off, but smart money is on Mesi. Winky has a good shot of beating Mosley though IMO. The odds are in Mosley's favor, but he has his mind on Trinidad and Winky is an awkward fighter. Mesi 6th round KO Winky by SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 I wouldn't say he's too powerful at all. Toney didn't knock Jirrov out...and Toney is more powerful than Mesi. Mesi is the favorite though...and I'm very curious to see what shape Jirrov is in moving up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheHulkster Report post Posted March 14, 2004 There is no doubt that Jirov is a tough guy. He took some brutal punches in that Toney fight and was still standing at the end. You can argue that fight as being the best fight of last year. The thing that worries me about Jirov is that his fight after the Toney fight, he got rocked by Ernest Mateen, who isn't known for his punching power. What Mesi lacks in skill, he makes up for in 1 punch KO power. If it goes to the later rounds, Vassiliy has a shot. Regardless of who wins though, it should be a war. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 Yeah, I saw that fight too. They say Jirrov has been taking a lot of shots in his two fights since he faced Toney. That's certainly to Joe's advantage...but he's not exactly Mr. defense either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 Winky Wright defeats Shane Mosley by unanimous decision, and claims the undisputed Junior Middleweight championship. Joe Mesi beats Vassily Jirov by unanimous decision in 10 rounds, but got knocked down three times in the process, all in the final two rounds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 That Mesi/Jirrov fight got exciting for all the wrong reasons. The worst part is...with the way boxing is scored...Mesi won the fight by one point. It's nice that all the judges and Lederman had the exact same score...but Mesi is lucky that this wasn't 12 rounds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 And of course, no re-match. I know alot of people are high on Mesi, but its hard to get excited about a 30 year old "prospect." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 I think that there will be a rematch actually. Mesi can say what he wants about "no need for a rematch"...but he's looking to have his contract with HBO extended. If HBO wants a rematch...they'll get one. If HBO wants Mesi vs. Guinn...they'll get that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 As we speak, Felix Trinidad is cursing his ass off. Shane really needs to get his act together, this is the 4th fight in a row (Including De La Hoya) where he's looked like crap. Funny thing is, he happens to be my favorite boxer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 He just cost himself a lot of money this time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheHulkster Report post Posted March 14, 2004 Pics from Mesi-Jirov: The Sweat 'Fro Where's his neck? Mesi looked good untill he got cocky late in the fight. He's got a long road ahead of him in the heavyweight division. I think he should give Jirov a rematch, but he wants to fight Mike Tyson. Joe Mesi = Insane. Mosley looked like shit out there. I'm happy for Winky. He's got a good shot against Oscar and Trinidad. Bernard Hopkins would give him some trouble though. I'm glad that the Super Welterweight belt is unified. Unified Titles make me a happy boxing fan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 Yes, but I'd rather see it this way than the Oscar Dela Hoya method of pussyfooting around until you get the big fight. Mosley remains a good, exciting fighter. He's not going to pan out as an all-time elite boxer anymore, but he's easily within the top 5 of his division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 I'm glad that the Super Welterweight belt is unified. Unified Titles make me a happy boxing fan. Mosley was already the undisputed junior middleweight champion. Piss on the ABC titles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 Mesi is overrated, bottomline. He is also too inexperienced for the next level. He could have had Jirov outta there if he pressed more in the middle rounds, yet he tried to paw him like a rabbit and he is lucky he survived that beating he took in the last round. Lets not forget Jirov just moved in weight. Never underestimate the effect that has on a fighter, especially the first fight or two. I know Roy Jones handled it well, but it was f'n John Ruiz who is a pansy. Mosely, well he is old and he moved up and well that is just what happens sometimes. I am not sure if Trinidad/Mosely would get the payday they thought for now. I'd rather see a Trinidad/De La Hoya rematch or a Trinidad/Vargas rematch myself, or even a Trinidad/Mayorga fight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 No doubt. Mesi ought to hit the casino before he heads home...he's the luckiest man in Vegas tonight. For 8 rounds he looked like he had learned all the lessons he should have from his fight with Barrett...then it all went away. He should look on the bright side though...the last two fights provided a whole bunch of lessons for him to learn...and most fighters don't get to learn them while pulling out two wins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 No doubt. Mesi ought to hit the casino before he heads home...he's the luckiest man in Vegas tonight. For 8 rounds he looked like he had learned all the lessons he should have from his fight with Barrett...then it all went away. He should look on the bright side though...the last two fights provided a whole bunch of lessons for him to learn...and most fighters don't get to learn them while pulling out two wins. Yeah, if he trys to take on Vitali or Wladimir next, hell even Corrie Sanders, he will learn another lesson, how to get knocked out. I am sure Michael Grant is offering a free seminar on this as well as breaking your own ankle on the way down special bonus lesson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20 Report post Posted March 14, 2004 Ah, ol Michael Grant... Shot up to the moon, only to be knocked off by one Lennox Lewis. Also, Trinidad / Mayorga sounds quite interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted March 15, 2004 Mosely got his ass handed to him, plain and simple. Winky was in better shape, was more accurate, hit harder, defended better, and dictated the pace and style of the fight. Total shutout aside from Mosely taking a few close rounds, in my book. I think he should be de-sugared, personally. He's trying to live up to HUGE expectations for himself, and he's choking, I think. He even said in the post-fight interview that he felt "dehydrated" or "had a monkey on his back" which is much more accurate, I thought. Not heroin, but his recent losses and poor showings. Wright's interview was pretty funny, though. He went through all the thank yous and praise gods, and said he'd fight De La Hoya, Trinidad, and Mosely again..but failed to mention Hopkins. Larry Merchant called him on it, and one of his entourage made this "Dammit!" face, and Winky stumbled a little bit, praising Hopkins by saying "He's a warrior, great competitor, dirty, talented..." Then begrudgingly said he'd fight him. Apparently, he made a high five-figure bet on himself at 3:1 odds, which I thought was awesome. He said his career had been a "Long road, and it's time to make some money and get up on outta here." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted March 15, 2004 I can't help but think Shane Mosley has tried to compete in too many weigh classes. He jumped from lightweight to junior middleweight awfully quick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Redhawk Report post Posted March 19, 2004 How old is Bernard Hopkins? And he doesn't seem to fight very often these days. I could easily see him getting upset by someone like Winky. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted March 19, 2004 That'd be an ugly fight, I think. Hopkins works best as a bully that beats the shit out of you, supplemented with counterpunching, and Winky's an opportunistic defender, and works the jab quite a bit, which he did to Moseley with stunning success. They'd probably crack heads, too, since Hopkins is indeed dirty as shit. I think the fight would either end in shenanigans, or a disputable decision for Hopkins. Winky should really fight De La Hoya and Trinidad first, since they're more orthodox boxers that wouldn't go out to fuck him up, they'd be big money bouts, and his style would be a little more advantageous. I'd take Winky over De La Hoya right now, if he turns in another performance like he did against Moseley. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted March 20, 2004 Mesi suffered concussion... Baby Joe Mesi is back in his hometown of Buffalo NY under Doctor’s care for a concussion. Mesi suffered the injury during his fight last Saturday with Vassily Jirov. Jirov knocked Baby Joe down in the ninth round with what appeared to be a blow to the back of the head. Mesi’s father and manager Jack Mesi told Fightnews that Joe doesn’t even remember fighting the tenth round. "That shows you how much toughness and courage the kid has, to be able to fight through that round with a concussion," said Jack. "They should have given Joe time to recuperate or taken a point away for that illegal blow." The injury will force Team Mesi to change their schedule a bit. "That ended any thought of something happening in May, now we are focusing on August." Jack continued, "no opponent has been named yet, but we are looking to have the fight in Buffalo at an outdoor facility. Tony Holden will be in town to speak with the Buffalo Bills about the availability of Ralph Wilson Stadium." For now, Joe Mesi will be busy with his many charity events in the Buffalo area, and then be back in the gym after his Doctor’s ok. -credit - fightnews.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
