Buffalo boxer Joe Mesi has won his party's nomination for the New York state senate.
Mesi, 34, defeated Michele Iannello and Daniel Ward Tuesday night for the Democratic party nod for the Nov. 4 election to fill the seat last held by retiring Republican Mary Lou Rath. Mesi captured 51 per cent of the primary vote on Tuesday.
Mesi's district encompasses Genesee County and part of Erie County, and he is running on a platform of luring companies to an area hit by job losses over the last several years. He received the endorsement of several unions and Tom Golisano, the billionaire who owns the Buffalo Sabres.
As a heavyweight boxer, Mesi was 28-0 and being groomed for possible fights with Mike Tyson and Hasim Rahman when he met Vassily Jirov in April 2004. Mesi was cruising until late in the fight, when he was rocked on several occasions by Jirov.
He held on for a decision win, but tests revealed he had suffered a subdural hematoma, or brain bleed.
Mesi was suspended by the biggest boxing commissions in the United States such as New York and Nevada, but he sought different medical opinions on his injury and unsuccessfully tried to have those bans lifted.
He returned to the ring two years later, fighting in other state jurisdictions. He won seven bouts against limited opposition, last fighting on Oct. 12, 2007, but has not officially retired.
Mesi is trying to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jack Kemp and Ed Rutkowski, former Buffalo Bills who successfully moved into the political arena. Kemp became a U.S. congressman and vice-presidential candidate on Bob Dole's ticket in 1996, while Rutkowski held the top political post in Erie County.
He also isn't the first modern boxer to enter the political ring. Former heavyweight champion Vitaly Klitchsko has twice run unsuccessfully for mayor in Kiev, Ukraine, while national icon Manny Pacquiao lost a congressional bid in his native Philippines last year.
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