Boxing
Mesi feeling good after latest win
by MATT KRUEGER Reporter

"Baby" Joe Mesi stands over a fallen George Linberger during Thursday's heavyweight fight in West Virginia. Mesi scored a knockout in the first round to up his record to 34-0. Photo by Jeff Barnes Purchase photos at www.BeeNews.com

Confidence was never something Town of Tonawanda heavyweight "Baby" Joe Mesi lacked until his two-year medical suspension.

That span from 2004 to 2006 was when he hit the roughest time in his life, sitting out on what should have been the prime of his career.

But the swagger and attitude are back for Mesi, following his first-round annihilation of George "Terminator" Linberger Thursday at the Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, W.Va.

Mesi dropped Linberger with a right hook less than two minutes into the first round and picked up his 34th victory to remain undefeated.

With fast hands, good foot work, strong combinations and a slimmer look, Mesi mirrored the fighter who knocked out DaVarryl Williamson in the first round of their 2003 fight in Buffalo. The improvement was noticeable from his four fights in 2006, which served to get Mesi back in ring shape and shake off the rust from his suspension.

"I thought I was much better," Mesi said. "I knew it would take a few fights. I had a lot of critics and I knew that I didn't look that great in those first few fights. But I wasn't too concerned. In my last fight, I looked great and I felt great. If I can come out of every fight feeling better, then I know I'm on my way."

Mesi was the No. 1 contender to the WBC heavyweight title at the time of his suspension from brain bleeds. While he said he hasn't quite regained all of the skills that made him a top-10 fighter, he said he's about 85 percent of the way back to his former self.

Even at 85 percent, Mesi was far too much for Linberger to handle. Mesi connected on a stunning right cross that rocked Linberger back a few steps and then charged in to knock down the former arena football player. After Linberger got to his feet, Mesi, with a ultra-confident look on his face, stampeded Linberger with a barrage of rights and lefts, until one right hook caught Linberger's chin and prompted the referee to stop the fight.

"I knew he wasn't in my class," Mesi said of Linberger (29-9-1, 25 knockouts). "But he was a strong guy, very athletic. He had a lot of knockouts, so I had to be careful. As long as I didn't take a heavy shot that caught me off guard, I knew I would be alright."

Mesi (34-0, 27 knockouts) won't spend much time preparing for his next fight. Nothing has been finalized yet, but he said he plans to fight again in April. He'll leave for Puerto Rico in March to train.

"I don't know what's next, but I hope to fight in April," he said. "I want the top bout on a TV card. I want to move up, but I don't think I'm ready yet to challenge for a title. Maybe I'll fight a top 25 guy."

"I'll get four more this year, hopefully, and get back into the top 10. And, hopefully, I'll fight for a championship this year."

Another development in Mesi's career is his plan to apply for a boxing license in New York State. Mesi, along with his father and manager, Jack, have been vocal about wanting to return to Buffalo, where Mesi drew some of the biggest boxing crowds in recent years. New York has one of the most stringent boxing commissions, which will probably lead to legal action.

But given Mesi's performance in the past year, he says he's confident he'll receive a license.

"We feel as if we have more ground to stand on now," he said. "We will have what we hope is six fights in six difference commissions. We'll see what the outcome is."

e-mail: mkrueger@beenews.com