Mesi Survives Close Call

In the first big test of his professional career, Joe Mesi receives a mixed report card. First - and most importantly - he kept his undefeated record intact with a close, majority decision over Monte Barrett. In the plus column, Mesi displayed flashes of power, got off the deck after being knocked down for the first time in his pro career and survived through ten full rounds despite finishing the fight with a left eye that was swollen shut. On the other hand, Mesi tired badly down the stretch and came dangerously close to losing to a respectable but far from stellar opponent in Barrett. If nothing else, this serves as a learning experience for the likeable Mesi, but the feeling here is that Mesi's best case scenario is to become a heavyweight version of Arturo Gatti -- a fan favorite with punching power and heart but who lacks the elite skills necessary to compete and win on a truly world class level. And please don't take that evaluation the wrong way -- the sport desperately needs as many Gatti-types as it can find.