It has been said by members of the local media that Baby Joe's success in the ring and his strong community involvement has made him possibly the most popular athlete in the area.

Buffalo is Home

Rather than abandoning the Buffalo market, Baby Joe relies on Buffalo to help carve his own distinctive path both in and outside of boxing. Joe captures the warmth and deep spirit common to the Buffalo area.

Joe is often seen at Buffalo Sabres, Bills and Bisons games supporting his local teams. Baby Joe comfortably fits into a Sabres jersey cheering alongside like fans; he enjoys pulling on a pair of heavy gloves and joining 80,000 of his friends at Ralph Wilson Stadium for a Buffalo Bills football game; or throwing the opening pitch to inaugurate another Buffalo Bisons season.

Olympic Torch Run

December 31, 2001

His smile was a mile wide. His job was slow and deliberate. He absorbed the huge crowd yelling his name and shouting "USA, USA, USA!". Wearing a white sweat suit, white knit gloves and white sneakers, undefeated heavyweight boxer, "Baby Joe" Mesi began his most memorable three-tenths of a mile jog.

Minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve, one of the most prestigious legs of the Salt Lake City Olympic Torch Run began when Baby Joe accepted the flame and began walking up Chippewa Street. Hundreds of downtown partygoers streamed out of bars and restaurants to cheer for him despite the frigid temperatures and snow banks on the curbs.

Six security officials in blue sweats flanked Baby Joe while his trainers, Juan DeLeon and Chuck Pelitera, ran close by waving large American flags. His dad and manager, Jack, proudly videotaped the event and Team Mesi photographer, Jeff Barnes, snapped the memorable photos as they rode in the Olympic Torch Medal Truck, just steps ahead of Baby Joe.

At Main and Chippewa Streets, Baby Joe stopped and waved to his family, watching from sixth floor windows in the Radisson Suites Hotel. On the street, he only remembers kissing his girlfriend, Jennifer, and wishing her a Happy New Year.

Before passing the flame to the Olympic Cauldron to close out 2001 and bring in 2002, Baby Joe thanked everyone for support of his cousin, Genelle Shanor, who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant, adding, "it will happen soon".

At 11:58:30, Baby Joe spoke to the audience from his heart. "It's my pleasure, my great honor, to end the year that will never be forgotten and to begin a year that I know will be filled with love and peace."

"Thank you and God Bless America."

"I've experienced every emotion in the world - happy, sad, excited and nervous", he said in a whisper while smiling with pride as he watched his father walk through the crowd.

An Emotional Event

"I was happy for the greatest opportunity to run with the Olympic Torch. I was sad since my [deceased] mother wasn't there to see and experience this moment and because my cousin [Genelle] is sick. We were hoping, that by doing this, something positive would happen for her."

"Every emotion you can imagine ran through my body, but once I stepped out of the bus and onto the pavement of Chippewa Street, I had a feeling of warmth - the people made me feel great with their chanting of USA, USA, USA."

"It felt great like forever", he said. "Just like I do before each fight, I said a prayer to my mother and grandmother before I left the bus. It was the same type of feeling I have before each fight, but the outcome was much greater than winning a fight."