Press and News Articles
Buffalo News - April 1, 2006
By BUCKY
GLEASON
News Sports Reporter
4/1/2006
Mesi fighting for love of sport
and to prove critics wrong
CAROLINA,
Puerto Rico - Joe Mesi has spent the past month living in paradise
while waiting for his opportunity to return to the ring. He has been
staying in a hotel located a sand wedge away from a magnificent beach
on the Atlantic Ocean along a lively stretch in suburban San Juan. It
really can't get much better.
The Town of Tonawanda heavyweight's
passion for the area has become so strong that he's thinking about
buying a house and setting up shop here. It would be an ideal getaway
from detractors and boxing authorities who claimed he should never
fight again. But his real escape isn't 85-degree weather and
continuous sunshine away from the mainland.
It's always been the gym.
Mesi ballooned to 280 pounds a few
months ago but trimmed down to 237 pounds for his official weigh-in
Friday. He looked healthy and strong while anticipating his first
fight in more than two years. He weighed in at 227 pounds for that
bout. He's scheduled for an eight-round fight with 41-year-old
journeyman Ron Bellamy today in Mario Morales Coliseum in nearby
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
"This is what I miss," Mesi
said after his weigh-in. "I miss the weigh-ins and the press and
the stare-downs. It's the stuff that makes you nervous, but when
you're not doing it for a couple years, you miss it. Right now, I'm
very excited. The adrenaline is pumping."
Mesi has been sidelined since March
13, 2004, when he suffered at least two brain bleeds during a victory
over Vassiliy Jirov in Las Vegas.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission
suspended him, which prohibited him from fighting in the United
States. A judge later ruled that Nevada couldn't sustain the
suspension once his boxing license expired.
The controversy over his return and
the popularity of the people surrounding him has made for big news in
Puerto Rico, where boxing is second only to baseball among the
territory's major sports. Mesi's trainers, Juan and Carlos
"Sugar" De Leon, are local legends on this island of about 4
million people.
"Boxing is everything
here," Mesi said. "That's what I do. That's my living. Come
to where the boxing is great and big. The weather is good, and all
they do is eat and sleep boxing. More importantly, my trainers know
the area. It fits."
Today's event is considered a tuneup
for Mesi (29-0, with 25 knockouts), but he knows the boxing community
will be watching. People want to see if he's a shred of the fighter
that once made him the World Boxing Council's top-ranked contender and
carried him within a whisker of a monster payday. Others wonder if it
will be two boxers and a funeral.
Bellamy (14-4-4, nine KOs) is an
imposing but inexperienced 6-foot-5, 249-pound man who has been carted
from the ring twice in his last three fights. He's a part time police
officer in North Carolina who played basketball for the University of
North Carolina-Charlotte in the 1980s. The bout, part of the undercard
for flyweights Jose Lopez and Ilido Julio, will be televised only in
Puerto Rico.
Mesi remained undeterred this week by
claims he's risking his life by climbing back into the ring while
reaffirming his health. He equated the subdural hematomas, which he
said were smaller than the head of a pin, to minor cuts that mend
themselves and eventually fade. Buffalo-based neurologist Robert
Cantu, who is attending the fight, supported that assessment Friday
after the weigh-in.
"I want to be heavyweight
champion more than anything in the world but not enough to kill
myself," Mesi said. "I can do without boxing. I would be OK
with it. I'm that confident in my return, that confident in myself and
my health."
Nevada officials have taken a
different position while fearing Mesi could suffer long-term damage,
if not death. The Puerto Rican Boxing Commission granted him a license
a few weeks ago, saying Mesi passed all medical exams. It was another
reason he wanted the first fight of his comeback to be staged here.
People who have suggested Mesi should
retire have recent evidence to support their argument. Less than two
weeks ago, welterweight Kevin Payne died following an eight-round
victory in Indiana. Officials feared Payne, 34, might have had a
pre-existing brain injury that contributed to his death.
"Casual fans hear "subdural
hematoma' and get scared," said Jack Mesi, his father and
manager. "Insiders in boxing, the real fighters, know better. The
commissions don't know. We have taken every test known to man and
passed them all. If they come up with another one tomorrow, we'll take
it."
No matter the testimony of experts or
the rulings of judges, Mesi has been hounded by an underlying and
undying question: Why would he resume his career after being told of
the risks?
The answer is simple: Mesi believes
he's at no greater danger than any other fighter, and he doesn't want
outside forces running his life. He said the money he earns from this
fight will be minimal, but there's no denying the possibility that big
money could be ahead if he again ascends the world rankings.
"If I'm injured, I'm injured.
But I'm not injured," he said. "Saying that, I'm not going
to allow somebody else to dictate the rules and dictate my career and
my future. I would rather go in the ring and lose a few times. Then I
could tell myself that I gave it my best."
e-mail: bgleason@buffnews.com
BuffaloBills.com
March 31, 2006
Bills
Supporter Resumes Boxing Career
Gregg Pastore,
buffalobills.com
03/31/2006 2:04 PM
After a two-year absence, a long-time
Buffalo Bills supporter will return to the boxing ring for a fight
Saturday, April 1 in Puerto Rico.
Joe Mesi will put his
perfect 29-0 record (25 KOs) on the line against Ron Bellamy (14-4-4,
9 KOs) in pursuit of becoming the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
"It's been a long
two years," Mesi told Buffalobills.com in the final days training
for the fight. "Like the Bills, I know what the ups and downs are
like. I've had similar set backs but now we're moving forward."
A medical suspension has
kept Mesi out of the boxing ring since March of 2004 but he believes
he can quickly hop aboard the fast track to superstardom.
"There were days
where I didn't think I would be able to get back into the ring,"
said Mesi. "If I didn't box I'd be okay. There are plenty of
things I could do in life but my first goal is to become Heavyweight
Champion of the World and bring the title back to Western New
York."
Hailing from a suburb of
Buffalo, New York "Baby Joe" as his family first called him,
first hit the boxing scene as New York State 1994-1996 Super
Heavyweight Golden Gloves Champion.
But Mesi admits if he
had it his way, boxing would not have been an option because his
football playing days would have extended past high school.
"I was a middle
linebacker and a center," said Mesi. "The absence of
football is what drove me to boxing. I was a good football player,
wrestler, baseball player and I skied and swam but after high school
everything sort of ended."
So when the Bills
presented Mesi with the opportunity to lead the team onto the field in
October of 2003 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he was honored.
"It brought me back
to those days in high school," said Mesi. "Obviously I
didn't play in front of crowds like the one that day at Ralph Wilson
Stadium. I was more pumped up that day than ever and I thought I was
going to hit somebody. To lead out the team that I've grown up
watching was a wonderful feeling."
Despite a time-consuming
boxing career, which has taken him to Houston and Puerto Rico
recently, Mesi says he frequently visits Buffalobills.com to keep
updated on his team.
"I'm a huge
football fan," said Mesi. "I loved playing and I love
watching. The team has the talent but in my opinion the administration
needed some changes and I think Marv Levy is the guy to do it.
Certainly Marv brings great knowledge of the sport and is a very
personable guy. It's a great move for the team. I'm looking for bigger
and better things this season."
Watch Mesi Fight
- April 11
Mesi's fight won't be
televised in the United States but on an exclusive delayed webcast,
and a historical first, Mesi will provide commentary of his own fight.
A portion of the proceeds benefit the Baby Joe Mesi's Fight For Organ
Donation Inc.
Registration is required
to experience this unique look at Baby Joe inside and outside of the
ring. The Webcast is only $5.95. Payment is not required until April
11, 2006.
For more details, visit babyjoemesi.com or
webcastfundraiser.com
| Buffalo Bisons - Bisons.com
MLB.com
"Baby Joe" is Back
in the Ring
"Baby
Joe" is a perfect 29-0 as a professional boxer.
On April
1st, 2006 "Baby" Joe Mesi will step into the ring
and put his perfect 29-0 record on the line in Puerto Rico.
This fight will tune-up Joe's skills to once again work
towards his lifetime ambition of being Heavyweight Champion
of the World.
The live
fight will only be available for viewing in Puerto Rico, so,
in a HISTORICAL FIRST for Mesi and his fans, the
fight will be edited to include Mesi's commentary and played
for viewing as a Webcast
on April 11 2006. Joe will be providing commentary of
his own fight during this production. For more information,
click HERE!
The
webcast will be the first time fans anywhere in the U.S. can
view the bout. PLUS!, with the commentary from "Baby
Joe," viewers will be able to watch first hand and get
an inside view of what is actually happening in the ring.
Mesi will provide his perspective while scores are tallied,
advise is given in the corner and more.
For just
$5.95, you not only get to view Mesi's return to the ring,
but you will also be registered to win some great prizes
including an autographed pair of "Baby Joe's"
gloves and ringside seats to one of his next fights.
This
exclusive will only be available as a Pay Per View Webcast.
A portion of the proceeds benefit the Baby
Joe Mesi's Fight For Organ Donation Inc. Anyone who has
ever experienced the loss of a loved one, is waiting for a
second chance, or has been given life due to this cause
knows its importance and life giving value. Best of all, you
are invited to participate. Join Baby Joe as we make history
together. Help save lives and enjoy a great entertaining
event.
|
Mesi bout headed to
pay-per-view
Business First
Baby Joe Mesi hopes his next venture
is a knockout.
Buffalo's undefeated heavyweight
boxer is teaming up with the producers of "The Lets Go Buffalo
Show", a cable TV and local Web site, to offer people a chance to
watch his April 1 comeback fight. The bout will available on a
pay-per-view Web cast via links on BabyJoeMesi.com
and LetsGoBuffalo.com.
The Web casts, which costs $9.95,
will air on April 11 with Mesi providing the voice over commentary.
Proceeds from the Web casts will benefit's Mesi's Fight for Organ
Donors Foundation.
"This is a real jump
forward," said Shawn Liegl, "The Lets Go Buffalo Show"
executive producer.
The fight will be Mesi's first since
he suffered serious head injuries in a fight two years ago and had to
re-apply for a boxing license.
Mesi, 29-0, will be fighting another
unranked heavyweight, Ron Bellamy, 14-0, from Puerto Rico in an
eight-round battle.
Mesi to fight Bellamy April 1 in
return to ring
Updated: Feb. 24, 2006, 5:56 PM ET
ESPN.com
Assocaited Press
BUFFALO,
N.Y. -- Heavyweight Joe Mesi's first fight in two years since his
medical suspension was lifted will be a tuneup against 41-year-old
journeyman Ron Bellamy on April 1 in Puerto Rico.
The
Puerto Rican Boxing Commission granted Mesi a license last week after
he submitted his doctors' records and passed the organization's
medical exams.
"I've
got a great euphoric feeling, like a dream come true," Mesi said
Friday. "There were many days that I thought I was not going to
fight ever again. So this is incredible. ... I'll be ready."
The
32-year-old Mesi sustained at least two subdural hematomas -- brain
bleeds -- in a unanimous decision over Vassiliy Jirov in Las Vegas in
March 2004.
The
injury led to Mesi's indefinite suspension by the Nevada Athletic
Commission. Mesi had the suspension overturned in December. A Nevada
state judge ruled then the boxer's medical suspension expired when his
Nevada boxing license expired at the end of 2004. While suspended,
Mesi was barred from fighting anywhere in the United States.
A
native of suburban Buffalo, Mesi (29-0) was the WBC's top-ranked
contender but has since fallen off the charts.
Bellamy
has a 14-4-4 record with nine knockouts since turning pro in 2002. He
lost his last three fights, including a unanimous decision Feb. 18 to
Earl Ladson.
Nevada
boxing officials expressed fears that Mesi risks further and possible
permanent injury if he resumes fighting. Mesi maintains he is fully
recovered and has numerous times presented expert medical testimony in
arguing he faced no increased risk of another brain injury.
"I
feel wonderful. I can't believe how good I feel after so long
off," he said. "I haven't lost a step and may even feel and
look better than I did before. The rest certainly did help."
Mesi
was relatively inactive during his suspension. His goal for the bout
outside San Juan is to fight at 240 pounds, 13 above what he weighed
in against Jirov. Bellamy, 6-foot-4, weighed 251½ against Ladson.
"I
know he's a big, imposing scary-looking fellow," Mesi said.
"But I trust my team that he's a good tuneup for me."
