Boxing
Mesi setting up big fall fight
by MATT KRUEGER Reporter

"Baby" Joe Mesi could face Brian "The Beast" Minto in October after the two co-headline a card July 27 at the Mountaineer Racetrack in Chester, W.Va. File Photo

All the fans and critics clamoring to see Town of Tonawanda heavyweight "Baby" Joe Mesi fight a higher caliber opponent could get their wish by the end of the year.

Mesi, 33, will fight an undetermined opponent July 27 at the Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, W. Va., as a co-headliner. The other main event will feature Brian "The Beast" Minto, 32, of Butler Pa. The plan, according to Mesi's father and manager, Jack Mesi, is to set up a Mesi-Minto fight for Oct. 13 in West Virginia.

"We're not looking past this upcoming fight, but we're really training for Minto in October," Jack Mesi said.

Since returning from a two-year medical suspension, Mesi (35-0, 28 knockouts) has won six bouts against opponents far inferior to the level of talent he faced in 2003 and 2004, when he was a top-10 contender. Minto would provide Mesi the opportunity to climb back into the rankings. Mesi was the No. 1 contender to the WBC title at the time of his suspension in 2004.

Minto (27-2, 16 knockouts) is coming off a unanimous-decision loss to former world title challenger Luan Krasniqi in March. His biggest victories were a pair of knockouts against Vinny Maddalone (27-4, 16 knockouts).

Minto also knocked out former world title challenger Axel Schultz in his 2006 comeback after a seven-year retirement.

"He's a hell of a fighter," Jack Mesi said. "This next fight will build up to a great Mesi-Minto showdown. That fight will really catch the eye of the pay-per-view people."

Aside from Mesi's fights in July and October, there could be something in the works for August in Europe. Jack Mesi said he's been getting offers to fight in Germany and Italy this summer, but could not divulge any more details.

"We're being sought after in Europe and in the United States," Jack Mesi said. "It's a good feeling again. Everyone wants to get a look at Joe."

Something else that is highly sought after is a fight against former two-time world champion Hasim Rahman. Mesi appeared at Rahman's latest fight, a unanimous decision victory over Taurus Sykes two weeks ago in Rochester.

Mesi and Rahman faced each other as amateurs in the Empire State Games with Mesi winning. Rahman had called for a bout with Mesi for close to two years before Mesi's suspension. Now, both camps are working toward setting up the fight in New York State, if Mesi can receive a license from the New York State Boxing Commission.

"He has so many offers right now," Jack Mesi said. "It's a pleasure to be back in the business at such a frantic pace."

Mesi's last fight was a first-round knockout victory over Ron Johnson April 14 in Russellville, Ark. He was supposed to fight Rafael Pedro for the WBO United States title June 2 in Lake Charles, La., but withdrew due to a pulled back muscle.

During his six-fight comeback, Mesi has fought in Puerto Rico, Montreal, Arkansas, Michigan and West Virginia. He won three by knockout, including the last two, and three by unanimous decision. His opponents had a combined record of 79-67-5.

e-mail: mkrueger@beenews.com