Commentary
It's time for 'Baby' Joe Mesi to face a decent foe
JASON NADOLINSKI Sports Reporter
Perhaps it was fitting that local heavyweight "Baby" Joe Mesi came to the ring wearing a Buffalo Sabres jersey for his scheduled 10-round fight against George "Terminator" Linberger this past Thursday at the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, W. Va.

After all, Thursday night was a night when more bouts were fought on the ice at HSBC Arena than in the ring on the card, in which Mesi fought in the first fight aired nationally on the Versus network.

By the way, did you notice how the Sabres' and Senators' brawl didn't spill into the stands like brawls do in the NBA? And yes, I know, there are no boards to climb over in basketball to reach the fans.

But, I digress. While it was entertaining to watch the Sabres' energy line of Andrew Peters, Adam Mair and Western New York's own Patrick Kaleta - who played for the West Seneca Wings in his younger days, which sounds weird to say, since the 20-year-old was making his NHL debut that night - enact justice on the Senators for Chris Neil's reckless late hit on Sabres' captain Chris Drury, it was the fight several states away that was supposed to take center stage in Western New Yorkers' minds.

Alas, the Sabres' melee, along with the late addition to the card of former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison - who had been out of the fight game for more than a decade after testing positive for HIV, but was able to get a license after recent tests showed a lack of the virus - seemed to have put Mesi on the back burner.

I think there's one easy way for Mesi to reclaim his spot among Western New York's most beloved treasures ... he needs to fight someone other than a has-been, a never was or a newbie without the ring experience and/or skill set to give Mesi the challenge he needs.

Don't get me wrong, as soon as Mesi landed the first punch that rocked Linberger, I was cheering for the Tonawanda native and Sweet Home graduate to get the dramatic knockout. Mesi didn't disappoint on that front as Linberger was knocked down again, and the referee called the fight with a minute to spare in the first round.

But questions still linger as to whether or not Mesi can be considered a legitimate threat to the heavyweight champions. Now five fights into his comeback from multiple brain bleeds and the subsequent suspension, Mesi has yet to fight anyone who could be considered a challenge.

I completely understand why the Mesi camp wouldn't want to rush back into the thick of things and take on opponents who are of the level he was fighting before his injury. I wouldn't argue against it if he even decided it's not worth it and chose to walk away with his perfect record - and more importantly, health - intact. But, since Mesi's dream is to be heavyweight champion of the world, I can't fault him for starting off slowly as he shakes off the ring rust.

I just wonder if, by taking on opponents whom he would mop up the floor with pre-injury, Mesi is doing slightly more harm than good. We still don't know if he can take punches to the head without suffering additional trauma, and we also don't know if he can go the distance in fights with double digits' worth of rounds.

As of now, Mesi's comeback appears to be on track. However, if Mesi wants to get a title shot before time takes its toll, he needs to step up and face some tougher competition. I don't think anyone expects him to challenge any of the current title holders, but it's not out of the question for him to want to fight a ranked opponent, even if it's someone outside the top 20. What better way is there to improve his standing than to prove he can take everything thrown at him by someone with more than marginal talent?

e-mail: jnadolinski@beenews.com