Joe Mesi speaks about his fight with Sherman Williams, Klitschko, Tszyu, Tyson and more

By Ike Enwereuzor
Jacboxing@hotmail.com

27.10.01 - On the co-main event of Savarese-Bostice clash on November 2, unbeaten heavyweight prospect Joe "Baby Joe" Mesi from Buffalo, NY with a professional record of (22-0) 18KO's, an up-and coming heavyweight contender who's expected to square off against his toughest challenger Sherman "Tank" William (18-6-1) with 12KO's on ESPN2's Friday Night Fight at Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard, CT.

Mesi, who began his pro career in 1997 admits that Bert Cooper and Jorge Gonzalez were both past their prime. He has a very good hand and foot speed.

Mesi has quiet a bit to say.....

Joe, thanks for taking out time to speak to us. How is your training for your upcoming fight with Sherman Williams?
Everything is going well. I couldn't be more prepared. This fight will open more doors for me.

How long have you been preparating for your Nov.2 fight with Williams?
I never stop training but I'll say about 8 weeks.

Your impression of Williams?
Strong fighter. I know he'll be tougher than my past fights. He's as young as myself. I expect a tough fight but I'll beat him for sure.

There were talks of you fighting Henry Akinwande sometime ago. What happened with that?
It was all talk, even I was suppose to fight "Razor" Roddick but never happen.

Your thoughts on the Klitschko-Izon bout coming up December 1?
I was excited to see Klitschko-Mercer but now Izon. You know Wladimir Klitschko's one of the best heavyweights out there today. He's strong, durable with good skills. I'm impressed so far but he need to be tested by any top ten contender. Izon is a good and strong fighter but I'll put my money on Klitschko over Izon. It will be a good fight to watch.

What do you think can happen in the main event with Whitaker-McCline?
I fought Lance Whitaker in amateurs, they said I lost by points but I know I was robbed. I lost a very close decision to him. I think Whitaker should walk through McCline in this fight December. I'm not expressed at all by McCline, I'll love to fight the winner of that fight.

What was your amateur record?
(72-8)

What do you remember most from your professional debut?
I was so nervous like I never been in my life. I don't know why but first time without a head gear. It was a different feeling. I was so nervous but I stopped my opponent in second round at Appollo Threater, New York

Please, tell us about your meeting with Lawrence Clay Bey in 1996?
I lost 2-1 in 1996.

Describe your fight with Bert Cooper and Jorge Gonzalez?
Though, Cooper wasn't in his prime, I did very well with him. He had a lot of experience and fought a lot of guys. I put him down in the 2nd, 6th and 7th rounds before Ref stopped it. He passed his prime but it was still a test for me. Gonzalez, I stopped him in round 4. It was good to face a fighter of that size like Jameel McCline, Michael Grant and Lennox Lewis. I want to face these guy soon.

How is your relationship with your father? Did he ever box?
My Dad never boxed but he always loved the sport. He's my manager and I'm trained by Juan Deleon

How did you get your ring name "Baby Joe"?
I always had it from a kid, this was even before I started boxing.

What's your prediction for the Rahman-Lewis II?
I think it will be a more exciting fight than fans expect. Rahman seems very confident. I expect a pritty exciting fight somebody is gonna get knocked out, I don't know who. People are underestimating Rahman but maybe age is starting to show with Lewis we see how this fight goes. Age maybe be showing we see.

Tszyu-Judah bout?
I like Kosyta Tszyu, he's a puncher with decent skills and experience but Zab Judah maybe a little hungrier and little quick for Tszyu.

You worked with Johnny Ruiz in the past fight with former undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Describe your experience while sparring with Ruiz?
I learn a lot from Ruiz. I was his chief sparring partner first time he fought Holyfield. We always had great workout we go toe to toe. I think he'll do better with Holyfield this time.

Your favorite fighters out there today?
Roy Jones jr. obviously, I like Hopkins now after his win over Tito, I was so impressed. I still love Trinidad he did his best. I love to watch Richardo Lopez, I 'll even like to study his style and watch him fight.

Your impression of Mike Tyson after watching his fight with Brian Nelsen?
I wasn't impressed with Tyson's performance though Nelsen took some punishment. I'll give Nelsen some credit for taking all those punches from Tyson. Tyson didn't have the speed he use to have. He had power but no aggression like before. Before I would never want to fight Tyson if I was asked I would have said no but now I would say yes to fight Tyson.

So, what's next for you if you pass Williams?
They are talking about probably Frans Botha or NABA heavyweight champ, Friday Ahunanya. I have to focus on Sherman Williams first.

Any words to your fans?
Tell them to come down to Foxwwods casino and be prepared to enjoy some refreshing young fast heavyweight with power and good boxing ability. This is my show and I'll definitely win.

Thank you for your time again.
Sure, Ike

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Interview: Lou Savarese

By Ike Enwereuzor
Jacboxing@hotmail.com

19.10 - Top heavyweight challenger "Big" Lou Savarese of Bronx, NY (41-4) 34KO's is popularly known for his impressive first round knockout of James "Buster" Douglas in June 1998 and win over heavyweight Lance Whitaker. Savarese also suffered a 12 decision lost to former heavyweight champ George Foreman and a first round stoppage by "Iron" Mike Tyson in June 2000.

Douglas who has a KO win over Mike Tyson in 1990 was floored three-times by "Big" Lou before he was stopped in just 2:34 of the first.

Savarese's expected to return to action on Nov.2 against David Botice at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, CT. He's preparing for his Nov.2 clash with Botice in Houston, TX. This is what "Big" Lou had to say about his upcoming fight, pass and future...

Why did you decide to become a boxer?
My family is always been interested in Boxing but my father didn't want me to fight but once I did, he started to support me. Two of my brothers and sister went to College.

How would you describe you fight with Riddick Bowe at Olympic trail?
It was a good and crazy fight, I hit him below belt. I didn't have much experience then, but Bowe had a lots of experience over me.

Which titles did you win as an amateur?
I was a two-time New York Golden Gloves champion 1985/86 I won the National PAL tournament and the Olympic sports festival.

What do you remember most from you professional debut against James Smith?
Good fight for me. The fight was on Foreman-Williamson card and took place in Galveston, TX and I stopped him in 4th round.

How long have you been training for your fight with David Bostice?
It's going to be a tough fight but I have been training hard and I had very good sparring. I have been preparing for 9 weeks now. My last fight was on ESPN against Grisby. He was a good techinician.

What's your impression of David Botice?
He's a strong guy. He fought Frans Botha few months ago and many fans thought he won the fight with Botha. He's less experience than me so I think I would stop him in the late rounds.

What can you tell us about your upcoming fight with him?
The fight will be on ESPN2 at Foxwoods and is promoted by "Sugar" Ray Leonard. I'm
in very good shape. I want the New York fans to come down and watch this fight. It will be an exciting fight to watch. I'm hearing about the Bus from New York to Foxwoods, they should get on that Bus. I can't wait to see my fans from the Bronx, Mahattan and Upstate New York. I have been training very hard for this fight. We're fighting for the IBA heavyweight title. It's not the biggest but it's a good stepping stone for me.

How would you explain your fight with Tyson last in Scotland where you were stopped in round one?
I was very dissappointed by the outcome but I can't blame the Ref. Tyson's a quick starter.

What about Izon, Whitaker, Foreman, Douglas, Grant?
Izon fight was a tough fight for me. I didn't know much about him before the fight. I got caught with some of his good shots. I was originally suppose to fight Shannon Briggs but he pulled out so Izon was a replacement. Briggs has ducked me for 3 times now. I still want to fight him and I know I can beat him.

Whitaker's running his mouth talking about a rematch, I beat him before and
I know I'll beat him again if they make the fight. It could be good for HBO but I have to focus on David Botice. He's a big strong . He hurt me in round 7 so I took a knee but came back and win the fight.

Douglas was a great fight for me, I was the underdog once again. Top Rank took me lightly but I surprised everyone by knocking him down several time and stop him in round one.

Michael Grant is a tough guy but I didn't train well for that fight. I was proud of myself.

What do you wish to accomplish that you haven't yet?
Obviously, every fighters dream is to become a world champion and that's what I want for myself, family, friends and fans.

Your thoughts on Hopkins-Trinidad bout?
It was an incredible fight to watch, one of the best fights I have ever seen. Hopkins fought a perfect fight and I must give Trinidad some credit but Hopkins was the better man that night.

What else do you want to tell fans?
Thanks for their supports. I'm really in good shape and I got good weight so I want them to come and enjoy it.

Thanks for taking out some time from your busy schedule to chat with us. We're looking forward to your fight Nov.2
You're welcome. I hope to see you all soon.