On Mon, 09 Aug 2004 02:54:00 GMT, "Walter Lavender"
Post by Walter LavenderJoe Mesi has been suspended by the Nevada boxing commission because he won't
turn over his medical test following the Jirov fight to the commission. His
manager has now resigned or retired. I haven't heard anything about this
before. Anybody else have anything on it? I thought Mesi was on his way up.
If he has suffered a subdural hematoma as the commission suspects he maybe
suspended for life.
Tim Graham's article in last Saturday's Buffalo Evening News came as a
surprise to most local Buffalonians ...
MESI PROMOTER QUITS, WON'T SAY WHY
BY TIM GRAHAM
NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
Joe Mesi has lost one of the
most important allies in his cause
to regain a boxing license in the
United States.
Promoter Tony Holden, a
staunch defender of Mesi's bid to
fight again, resigned Friday with-
out revealing the reason.
The undefeated Town ofTona-
wanda heavyweight (29-0) has
been suspended indefinitely since
his narrow March 13 victory over
Vassiliy Jirov in Las Vegas. Mesi
is diagnosed with at least three
brain bleeds after getting knocked
down three times in the final two
rounds.
"It has been a tremendous
honor and privilege to work with
Team Mesi for the past two
yearss," Holden said in a news re-
se. "It has been a privilege to
watch Joe grow from an ESPN
fighter to HBO, and a No. 1 world
ranking.
"However, at this time I must
resign from Team Mesi as Joe's
promoter.
"This has been a heart-
wrenching decision for me to
make. But I think it's best for all. I
hope to have a long and lasting
friendship with Joe, his family
and my good friend (Mesi co-
lanager) Bob Spagnola for years
to come."
Holden, contacted at his office
in Tulsa, Okla., declined to elabo-
ite. Mesi was unavailable to
imment
Holden became Mesi's pro-
loter in early 2003 after Mesi
paid a $90,000 settlement to ter-
minate his contract with previous
promoter Sugar Ray Leonard
axing.
Holden was instrumental in
obtaining for Mesi an HBO deal
at paid the fighter $900,000 for
high-profile bouts in Madison
Square Garden and Las Vegas.
Holden also helped arrangge for
Tulsa-based attorney Stuart
Cambell to handle Mesi's bid for
reintatement. Campbell is believed
to be still representing Mesi
despite Holden's decision.
The Mesi camp has refused to
submit medical records the Nevada
State Athletic Commission re-
quested nearly five months ago.
He will remain suspended until
those records are sent.
We're still waiting," said Keith
Kizer, the chief deputy attorney
general who advises the Nevada
State Athletic Commission.
Kizer said the Mesi camp has
asked for a meeting with the corn-
missioner prior to sending records.
['m not sure what purpose i
ting would serve without the
records," Kizer said.