“They laughed when I said I was going to be a professional boxer.” – these were the words written by potential heavyweight fighter Joseph Mesi Jr. earlier this year when he recalled his journey into the professional ranks.
The son of former heavyweight fighter Joe Mesi also revealed that he once weighed 345 pounds and struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts before turning his life around.
Today Mesi Jr. he is 3-0 as a professional and is one win away from helping his family to a perfect overall record of 40-0.
Heavyweight father and son
The elder Mesi retired from boxing in 2007 with an undefeated record of 36-0, after a career that once seemed destined for world title contention.
As World Boxing News has previously covered in its look back on Mesi’s career, the Buffalo heavyweight became one of boxing’s greatest stories when health problems cut low his career just as he was on the brink of contention.
Despite never getting a chance to fight for a world title, Mesi came out perfect with 29 knockouts and victories over names like Monte Barrett, DaVarryl Williamson and former cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov.
For years, the 36-0 mark remained untouched. Now it has a second chapter.
A perfect 40-0
Joseph Mesi Jr. he made his professional debut in October 2024 and already has a 3-0 record and two wins after the break.
The 31-year-old heavyweight will return on July 14 in Rochester against an unknown opponent.
A victory would raise the combined record of father and son to 40-0.
Not many boxing families can boast such an undefeated record in the heavyweight division.
Many sons followed in the footsteps of notable fathers and joined the sport. Few did so, carrying the ‘0’ which remained intact for almost two decades before being given the opportunity to continue doing so.
Different meaning
The younger Mesi’s post on social media looks completely different today.
The same man who claims he was ridiculed for wanting to become a professional boxer has already overcome obstacles far greater than skepticism.
Mesi Jr. he had previously spoken about weighing 345 pounds and struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts before finding direction in boxing.
After three wins in his career, he is no longer trying to prove that he belongs in the sport.
Instead, he’s trying to extend a family record that seemed finished when his father retired.
One more win would take Mesis to a perfect 40-0.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield are regarded as two of the best heavyweights in recent history, and now a former world heavyweight champion who fought them both is planning a shock return to the sport at the age of 53.
Lewis and Holyfield ruled the heavyweight division at various stages throughout the 1990s, which led to the duo famously colliding on two occasions in 1999.
The first bout ended in a controversial split decision draw, before Lewis left no doubt in the second meeting as he won by unanimous decision to become undisputed heavyweight champion.
Just under 18 months later, Lewis suffered an upset defeat, as he was knocked out inside five rounds by Hasim Rahman, and it is Rahman who is now planning on returning to the sport at the age of 53, as he looks to compete for the first time since June 2014.
After his victory over Lewis, Rahman lost by fourth round knockout in their immediate rematch, before he then headed straight into a bout with Holyfield, suffering a technical decision loss after eight rounds due to an eye injury after an accidental head clash.
Further defeats followed, with his record currently standing at 50 wins from 62 fights, but he has told Sean Zittel about his current success in the gym.
“I feel like in every aspect of my life, I feel like a 25-year-old. I go in the gym and I’ll work everybody in the gym, every single person.”
Rahman is scheduled to compete at the ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York on Tuesday 18 August, with an opponent yet to be announced.
“It’s crazy when they talk shit to me God punish them.”
FightHype interpreted the post as Crawford reacting to McGregor’s defeat, and many fans reached the same conclusion given the timing.
The two have exchanged words in recent weeks after McGregor claimed Crawford turned down a $200 million two-fight boxing and MMA deal. Crawford rejected that version of events, saying no such offer was ever presented to him.
Crawford did not mention McGregor by name or elaborate on his message, but the post quickly spread across social media.
The reaction was divided. Some boxing fans viewed the message as Crawford reminding McGregor of their recent feud, while many MMA fans criticized the retired four-division champion for appearing to celebrate McGregor’s injury and defeat. Others accused Crawford of invoking divine punishment over a sporting result, calling the post unnecessary.
Neither Crawford nor McGregor has commented further since the exchange reignited discussion between boxing and MMA fans.
Dana White ripped the UFC production team after they mistakenly identified boxing star Shakur Stevenson during Saturday night’s UFC 329 broadcast, saying the company continues to struggle with celebrity recognition despite having produced events for more than two decades.
While discussing the overall production during his post-fight press conference, White praised the show’s presentation before abruptly shifting to one mistake that clearly irritated him.
“I tell you all the time, my production team, we just did the White House. We built a fing arena on the South Lawn of the White House, and it was the greatest fing thing in the world to be there live and to watch it on TV,” White said.
“I just paid Shakur Stevenson a shitload of money. And for some reason, we can’t figure this celebrity s*** out. They put him up as a fing OKC NBA player. Are you fing kidding me?”
White continued venting about the error, saying the UFC has become notorious for misidentifying celebrities shown on its broadcasts.
“We are the absolute worst to ever do the celebrity thing. When we put celebrities up, we are the worst. I just had this fing debate in the back with my guys while I was screaming at everybody back there. They said, ‘No, soccer’s worse. Soccer shows the people, and they don’t put up any graphics.’ Oh no. We put up fing graphics and put the wrong guy’s name on it. We win. We’re the worst ever to f***ing do it.”
Stevenson attended UFC 329 as one of the event’s notable guests following his growing relationship with Zuffa Boxing. White has repeatedly praised the undefeated former three-division world champion and has made him one of the most recognizable boxing figures associated with the promotion’s new venture.
The broadcast mistake quickly drew attention online, with boxing fans sharing clips of White’s profanity-filled reaction and criticizing the production error. The incident also highlighted Zuffa Boxing’s increasing crossover with UFC events as White continues expanding his presence in professional boxing.
Eddy Pronishev has covered professional boxing since 2001, earning recognition for his technical analysis and informed perspective on the sport’s leading fighters, promoters, and events. Known for his clarity and depth, he provides authoritative insight into both in-ring strategy and the business of boxing.