Mesi to fight in Arkansas

by MATT KRUEGER

Reporter

For the first time in more than two years, Town of Tonawanda heavyweight  "Baby" Joe Mesi will fight in his home country when he steps back in the ring Saturday in Arkansas.
Mesi (31-0, 25 knockouts) will face an as-of-yet unnamed opponent on a card at the Pope County Fairgrounds in Russellville, Ark., just outside of Little Rock.
Mesi's manager and father Jack Mesi, said the fight is just a filler to keep the undefeated boxer in shape.
"It's no big deal," Jack Mesi said. "There's no TV, it's just a smoker. It's just a tune-up to keep Joe active."
Mesi had been scheduled to face Adenilson Rodrigues Aug. 5 in South Africa, but that bout fell through when headliner Laila Ali pulled out.
This fight is significant in that it is the first for Mesi inside the United States since  his suspension for brain bleeds was lifted in December. Mesi's two fights earlier this year were in Puerto Rico and Canada.