By: Jim Amato

I saw that Joe Mesi’s next fight is against Marvin Hill on April 14th in Russellville, Arkansas. WHAT !!! IF he wins… Maybe we can promote a Mesi fight in Nankin, Ohio, a ” suburb ” of the metropolis of Ashland. Geez, talk about fighting in the sticks.

I like Joe but even before his injury I never felt that he would become a champion. Still Joe was a decent fighter who was exciting to watch and had a big punch. I was hoping he would not come back. Now that he has the comeback has been a series uneventful bouts against less then mediocre opposition. Marvin Hill has met some name opponents with disastrous results ;

Shannon Briggs KO by 1
Dominick Guinn KO by 1
Ty Fields KO by 1

He made it into the 2nd round against J.D.Chapman. Against recent Mesi victim George Linberger, Hill was halted in the first.

There is a danger for Joe here. Not all ” safe ” opponents are safe. Ask heavyweight contender of the late 1960’s and early 70’s Boone Kirkman. In between big fights Boone thought he would pick up and easy paycheck taking on ” Memphis ” Al Jones. This Al should not be mistaken with ” Florida ” Al Jones who was a legit contender. Well against Kirkman, Jones landed a right hand by way of Memphis and Boone had to pick up his easy money AFTER he woke up. You never know with heavyweights…One punch can turn defeat into victory. Jerry Quarry once took on what looked to be a safe foe in Joe Alexander. In the record books it shows Quarry winning by KO-2. What you won’t see in the record books is that Jerry was floored and nearly stopped in that bout.

It’s time to see if Joe still has the goods. In taking these safe fights he’s losing his once solid fan base. C’mon Joe…it’s time to **** or get off the pot !