Buffalo, N.Y., Feb 9, 2013 / 16:53 pm
Ask "Baby" Joe Mesi how such a devout Catholic could step into a boxing ring to punch another guy for twelve rounds and his response begins with a laugh and an anecdote.
The fact that his unbeaten pro career ended prematurely is no laughing matter, but the lessons he learned along the way and ability to carry his faith along the way are priceless victories.
A 1996 U.S. Olympic alternate, "Baby Joe" – as Mesi was known in the ring – went on to a professional journey from 1997-2007 that saw him finish with an amazing 36-0 won-lost record, with 29 of those victories coming by knockout. The former number one heavyweight contender in the world was glistening in his sport's spotlight.
"There were several," he says when asked about his proudest moment in boxing. "I got to fight in Madison Square Garden. I got to fight in Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. I got to fight in my hometown (Buffalo, New York), on HBO. Another was being chosen to be an Olympic torchbearer, the last one, lighting the flame right before the ball dropped on New Year's Eve, prior to the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics."