By Scoop Malinowski

A major player in the heavyweight division as we head into 2004 is Joe Mesi. The 30-year old Buffalo native (27-0 with 25 KO’s) just signed a multi-fight deal with HBO. He is a massive live-gate attraction in Buffalo. He has talent, power, skills, intelligence, self-belief, a likeable personality and, as some astute insiders assert, he has that very rare but all-important X-factor aura about him.

As the balance of power is about to shift in heavyweight boxing, Joe Mesi is primed to be a factor in determining the changes that are about to come. “I don’t care what the critics say,” says Mesi. “If they don’t want to believe me, they don’t have to believe me. I believe in myself. And I’m only out here to prove one thing - that I’m one of the best heavyweights in the world.”

“I started boxing late. I started learning late. I’m a young fighter, and as far as learning things in the gym, it’s like they always say, I learn at an incredible rate. I just keep learning and learning. And I think the people haven’t seen the best in me, not even close.”

Mesi emphatically announced his presence to the heavyweight division with his devastating one-round knockout over respected DaVarryl Williamson in September. Now everyone in boxing is aware of Joe Mesi and his potential. Here’s the latest news from heavyweight contender Joe Mesi:

BoxingInsider.com: So how has life changed since you have hit the big-time in heavyweight boxing?

Joe Mesi: “Well, it’s changed that I’m fighting in Madison Square Garden on a pretty presitigious boxing card on December 6th. So I think that’s a very positive change. I’m very much looking forward to a few-fight agreement with HBO. That’s going very well. This will be the first of them. So things are going very well right now. I’ve taken that next step in my career. And I’m very happy about it. The timing couldn’t be better.”

BoxingInsider.com: Did the DaVarryl Williamson fight go easier than you expected?

Joe Mesi: “Yeah it did. That’s only because I was prepared for the fight. We trained very hard for the fight. And I knew I could get Williamson out of there early, maybe the 4th or 5th round. I didn’t anticipate that early. But, like I said, we trained so very hard and we were so very well prepared mentally and physically. We watched so many tapes. And after it all ended and I had a moment to myself, I’m not very surprised that it ended the way it did.”

BoxingInsider.com: When the critics, the doubters, try to diminish your win against DaVarryl - who many predicted would beat you - does that fuel your fire?

Joe Mesi: “No, not really. I’ve received a lot of criticism throughout my career. And you’re never going to silence the critics. You’re never going to silence those that are skeptic. But I just realized to only prove one thing - and that’s to myself - that I’m one of the best heavyweights in the world. And I don’t care what the critics say. If they don’t want to believe me, they don’t have to believe me. I believe in myself. And I’m only out here to prove one thing - and that’s to me. And no matter who you fight in this business - if they’re in the top 10 - this guy was too old, this guy doesn’t have enough experience, this guy doesn’t punch hard enough, this guy didn’t train hard enough…they’re always gonna say something. You can’t silence ‘em. So I go ahead and keep fighting until I become champion.”

BoxingInsider.com: How do you see Klitschko-Johnson turning out?

Joe Mesi: “Pretty exciting fight. I think after Klitschko’s impressive performance against Lewis, people are expecting him to win. But I see Johnson as one of the most underestimated heavyweights in the division. I think he’s one of the best right now. And if Kirk Johnson comes in well-trained, well-prepared, motivated - because sometimes he’s a little unpredictable - he’s not himself - when he is himself I think he’s one of the best heavyweights out there. And I think Klitschko’s in for a difficult fight because Johnson is very quick. And he’s a good mover.”

BoxingInsider.com: What are the strengths of your next opponent Monte Barrett?

Joe Mesi: “Monte’s slick. Monte’s got experience. Monte knows this is going to be one of his most difficult fights. And if he thinks…if he fights the way he fought against Kirkland, I think he’s gonna be in trouble. I think he knows that I’m a different fighter than Eric Kirkland a couple of months ago on ESPN. He knows he’s gonna have to train harder than that. He’s going to have to show people more than that. I’m not Kirkland. He’s not stupid. He knows what he’s gonna have to do to get ready. But Monte’s slick, he’s elusive, he’s got a little bit of speed, he can punch. He’s a good fighter. But he’s gonna have to bring more to the table this fight than he has in the past.”

BoxingInsider.com: What are the weaknesses you see in Barrett?

Joe Mesi: “I don’t want to give those away right now. But there’s some weaknesses. I’ve got weaknesses. We’ve all got weaknesses. But yeah, I’m gonna try and capitalize on those weaknesses.”

BoxingInsider.com: - How much better can Joe Mesi get?

Joe Mesi: “Much better. My trainer Juan DeLeon and his brother Carlos “Sugar” DeLeon - former Cruiserweight champion - they haven’t even taught me everything they can teach me. I’m young. I started boxing late. I started learning late. I started becoming physically just maturing as a man, and I’m a young fighter, I’m fresh. I haven’t taken too many punches. And as far as learning things in the gym, it’s like they always say, I learn at an incredible rate. I just keep learning and learning. And I think the people haven’t seen the best in me, not even close.”

Scoop Malinowski is a Boxinginsider.com contributor. Check out his site www.thebiofile.com. And be on the lookout in 2004 for his book “Lewis Vs. Tyson: Heavyweight Armageddon! The Inside Story about the Biggest Prizefight in Boxing History.”