Joe Mesi
| Joe Mesi | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Statistics | |
| Real name | Joe Mesi |
| Nickname(s) | Baby Joe |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | November 27, 1973 Tonawanda, New York, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 36 |
| Wins | 36 |
| Wins by KO | 29 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
"Baby" Joe Mesi (born November 27, 1973) is an American boxer and politician from Tonawanda, New York. He is a registered member of the Democratic Party.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Joe grew up in Tonawanda, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. He attended Sweet Home High School in Amherst, New York. He did not start his boxing career until he was about 19 years of age.
[edit] Boxing career
He was a New York State Golden Gloves champion, and as an amateur boxer he defeated Hasim Rahman. In Buffalo, for a brief period, Joe was once considered by some to be the city's "third professional franchise," with the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills being the other two. Joe is often seen at Bills and Sabres games and also supports many local charities.
[edit] Injury and suspension
Mesi's promising boxing career was set back greatly when he was wrongly alleged to have suffered two subdural hematomas. It was revealed later by multiple independent medical professionals, that all he had actually suffered was a concussion. (Not supported by citation)[1]
The injuries were derived from 2004 controversial bout with former cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov. In round 9, Jirov threw an illegal blow to the back of Mesi's head.[2][3] Mesi went down from the illegal blow in the 9th and twice in the final round, but managed to finish the fight injured. The bout was scored 94-93 for Mesi by all three judges (i.e., won by unanimous decision),
Mesi presented evidence that he never actually sustained any internal brain bleeding to the Nevada commission, but they ignored it and suspended him.[4] The suspension effectively blacklisted him from boxing anywhere in the United States under the premise of the full faith and credit clause. He launched several ineffective lawsuits against parties they claimed had 'leaked' news of his health, while also appealing to Nevada representatives that he should be allowed to box. The suspension was officially lifted when Mesi's Nevada boxing license expired at the end of 2005. However, he was unable to renew the license due to the concerns of Nevada boxing officials. Mesi has since been licensed by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission in February 2006, the Louisiana State Boxing Commission in June 2006, the Arkansas State Boxing Commission in August 2006, the Michigan State Boxing Commission in September 2006, the West Virginia State Boxing Commission in February 2007, and the Rhode Island State Boxing Commission in October 2007.
Joe Mesi has one of the longest active undefeated professional boxing records in the world for a heavyweight. Ranked #1 heavyweight contender by the WBC prior to his two-year layoff, Mesi was #16 in the December 2007 rankings.[5] He has not actively boxed since 2007, having instead turned to politics.
[edit] Political career
On February 14, 2008, Mesi publicly expressed his interest to run for the New York State Senate. He attempted to fill the 61st District seat vacated by Mary Lou Rath.[6] He won the Democratic primary for the seat on September 9, 2008.[7] Mesi received significant support from Tom Golisano's "Responsible New York" political action committee, and has been accused of illegally coordinating his campaign with theirs.[8] Mesi lost the general election to Republican Michael Ranzenhofer.[9]
Most recently, Joe has taken a position with the Democrat Senate Majority heading up a local Buffalo liaison office. This newly created job is very controversial since it pays $70,000 a year plus benefits and is considered a "patronage" job by many, while the state of New York is in hard financial times.[10] Ironically, Joe campaigned against such position while running for New York State Senate.[2]; however Joe claims he is qualified for this position.
Mesi has been circulated as a potential Democratic candidate to replace the retiring Jim Hayes in the New York State Assembly.[11]
[edit] Professional boxing record
| 36 Wins (29 knockouts, 7 decisions), 0 Losses, 0 Draws [12] | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| Win | 36–0 |  Shannon Miller |
TKO | 1 (10) | 12/10/2007 | Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States |
Won vacant WBC USNBC Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 35–0 | Ron Johnson |
KO | 1 (10) | 14/04/2007 | The Hughes Center, Russellville, Arkansas, United States |
|
| Win | 34–0 | George Linberger |
TKO | 1 (10) | 22/02/2007 | Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort, Chester, West Virginia, United States |
|
| Win | 33–0 | Jason Weiss |
UD | 4 | 15/09/2006 | Little River Casino, Manistee, Michigan, United States |
|
| Win | 32–0 | Dennis Matthews |
TKO | 2 (4) | 12/08/2006 | Pope County Fairgrounds, Russellville, Arkansas, United States |
|
| Win | 31–0 |  Stephane Tessier |
UD | 6 | 23/06/2006 | Uniprix Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
| Win | 30–0 | Ronald Bellamy |
UD | 8 | 01/04/2006 |  Coliseo Mario 'Quijote' Morales, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico |
|
| Win | 29–0 |  Vassiliy Jirov |
UD | 10 | 13/03/2004 | Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 28–0 | Monte Barrett |
MD | 10 | 06/12/2003 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 27–0 | DaVarryl Williamson |
KO | 1 (10) | 27/09/2003 | HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 26–0 | Robert Davis |
TKO | 1 (12) | 24/06/2003 | HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York, United States |
Won vacant NABF heavyweight title. |
| Win | 25–0 | Jason Curry |
KO | 2 (10) | 28/03/2003 | Creek Nation Gaming Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
|
| Win | 24–0 |  David Izon |
KO | 9 (10) | 18/10/2002 | HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 23–0 | Talmadge Griffis |
TKO | 5 (10) | 07/06/2002 | Rawhide Arena, Scottsdale, Arizona, United States |
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| Win | 22–0 | Keith McKnight |
TKO | 6 (10) | 05/04/2002 | Alumni Arena, Buffalo, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 21–0 | Derrick Banks |
TKO | 1 (10) | 02/11/2001 | Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States |
|
| Win | 20–0 | Bert Cooper |
TKO | 7 (10) | 27/07/2001 | Civic Center, Niagara Falls, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 19–0 |  Jorge Luis Gonzalez |
TKO | 4 (10) | 27/04/2001 | Civic Center, Niagara Falls, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 18–0 | Joey Guy |
TKO | 3 (10) | 11/11/2000 | Skylon Tower, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |
|
| Win | 17–0 | Matthew Green |
KO | 2 (6) | 23/06/2000 | Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, United States |
|
| Win | 16–0 | John Rainwater |
TKO | 3 (?) | 25/02/2000 | Rhodes-on-the Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island, United States |
|
| Win | 15–0 | Gary Winmon |
TKO | 1 (10) | 17/12/1999 | Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
|
| Win | 14–0 | Anthony Green |
TKO | 8 (10) | 17/09/1999 | Flickenger Athletic Center, Buffalo, New York, United States |
Won USA New York State Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 13–0 |  Rowyan Wallace |
KO | 2 (6) | 04/06/1999 | Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
|
| Win | 12–0 | Brian Sargent |
KO | 1 (6) | 24/04/1999 | Arts Museum, Portland, Oregon, United States |
|
| Win | 11–0 | Dwayne Hall |
TKO | 1 (4) | 19/02/1999 | Turning Stone Casino, Verona, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 10–0 | Rodney McSwain |
TKO | 3 (6) | 03/12/1998 | Sheraton Hotel, Houston, Texas, United States |
|
| Win | 9–0 | Jihad Abdulaziz |
UD | 4 | 09/10/1998 | Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 8–0 |  Martin Lopez |
KO | 3 (6) | 27/08/1998 | Arena Theatre, Houston, Texas, United States |
|
| Win | 7–0 | Kevin Rosier |
TKO | 2 (4) | 26/07/1998 | Turning Stone Casino, Verona, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 6–0 | Art Bayliss |
KO | 1 (4) | 25/06/1998 | Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States |
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| Win | 5–0 | Mike McGrady |
TKO | 2 (4) | 02/04/1998 | Erie County College, Buffalo, Connecticut, United States |
|
| Win | 4–0 | Darryl Spratt |
KO | 1 (4) | 20/02/1998 | Argosy Festival Atrium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States |
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| Win | 3–0 | Calvin Smith |
UD | 4 | 04/12/1997 | Pepsi Arena, Albany, New York, United States |
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| Win | 2–0 | Jim Brackney |
KO | 2 (4) | 25/11/1997 | El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, United States |
|
| Win | 1–0 | Dwane Cason Allen |
KO | 1 (4) | 01/11/1997 | Apollo Theater, New York, New York, United States |
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[edit] Accomplishments
- 1993 - Empire State Games Gold Medalist
- 1993 - New York State Golden Gloves Champion - Super Heavyweight Division
- 1995 - New York State Golden Gloves Champion - Super Heavyweight Division
- 1996 - New York State Golden Gloves Champion - Super Heavyweight Division
- 1996 - United States Olympic Alternate - Super Heavyweight Division
- 1999 - New York State Heavyweight Champion
- 2003 - North American Boxing Federation Heavyweight Champion
- 2007 - World Boxing Council USNBC Heavyweight Champion
[edit] See also
- Boxingscene.com article, 'Joe Mesi Return A Complex Proposition [13]
- Above article highlights a subsequent change in the rules applying to professional boxers in the State of Nevada which would allow Mesi to apply to fight in Nevada again (previously not so)
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3299563.html
- ^ http://www.muaylok.net/boxingrec/index.php?id=167
- ^ http://wn.com/Vassily_Jirov
- ^ http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/buffalo-news/mi_8030/is_20050610/mesis-appeal-rejected/ai_n42875392/
- ^ "WBC Heavyweight Ratings". World Boxing Council. October 13, 2007. http://www.wbcboxing.com/WBCboxing/portal/cfpages/contentmgr.cfm?docId=94&docTipo=4&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC.
- ^ Robert J. McCarthy (February 14, 2008). "Heavyweight contender Joe Mesi considers run for state Senate". The Buffalo News. http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/275969.html.
- ^ "Primary Results: Hoyt, Kryzan, Mesi, Volker Win". WGRZ. September 9, 2008. http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=60528&catid=37&GID=HSaYuSnElrdpiO6GjKopqmcbRauRTfqGGm6s6Zy22Rg%3D.
- ^ Hakim, Danny (June 18, 2009). Groups Controlled by Golisano and Aide Investigated Over Donations. The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
- ^ Phil Fairbanks (November 5, 2008). "State Senate: Ranzenhofer, Stachowski, Volker win". The Buffalo News. http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/484613.html.
- ^ http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=66040&catid=37&plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:6c70cb66-79b8-4f8a-8fd8-b1c80d1d6854
- ^ [1]. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=016554&cat=boxer
- ^ http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=22632
[edit] External links
- BabyJoeMesi.com - Official website of Joe Mesi
- Professional boxing record for Joe Mesi from BoxRec
| Previous champion Eliecer Castillo |
NABF Heavyweight 24th Champion June 24, 2003 - October 30, 2003 |
Next champion DaVarryl Williamson |
| Preceded by Vacant |
WBC USNBC Heavyweight Champion October 12, 2007–present |
Incumbent |
