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03/18/2004 Archived Entry: ""The Tiger" Roars Again"
"The Tiger" Roars Again
Jirov Ready for Rematches with Mesi or Toney
NEW YORK, NY - After engaging in two of boxing's most compelling fights in the last year, Vassiliy Jirov - a former world cruiserweight champion and current heavyweight standout - is looking to give the fans more of what they want...if Joe Mesi or James Toney are up to it.
"I fought my heart out against Joe Mesi and James Toney and just came up short," said Jirov, 33-2 with 29 KOs. "I know the results would be different the second time around, and since these are fights the fans want to see, I'm ready to go again. Just tell me the place and time." Last Saturday night, Jirov ran out of time against highly touted contender Mesi at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Jirov, an Olympic gold medallist in 1996, dropped Mesi three times in the last two rounds, and was on his way to a stoppage victory when the final bell rang, leaving "The Tiger" two points short of victory on each judge's scorecard. In a bout voted 2003 Fight of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America, Jirov waged war with Toney at the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut last April, cementing his reputation as one of the sport's toughest warriors despite being on the short end of a 12 round decision "I've had two setbacks in my career, but I'm proud of my efforts in both fights and know that many people disagreed with the results." said Jirov. "Lou DiBella and Al Haymon told me that Buffalo is beautiful in the spring and summer and I'd like to go to Joe Mesi's home town and finish what I started in Las Vegas. Next time, Baby Joe won’t get up.”
