A Sharpsville man died after a fight Saturday morning in Farrell, and the man he was fighting with has been charged with assault, police said.

Thomas E. Blakeley, 39, of 44 S. 3rd St., was pronounced dead at 2:50 a.m. in the emergency room of UPMC Horizon, Farrell, Southwest Mercer County Regional police said.

Mercer County Coroner J. Bradley McGonigle III said he has ruled the death a homicide but is holding off on stating a cause until the results of toxicology tests are in.

"He had cardiac problems as well," McGonigle said, referring to the findings of Dr. Eric Veh, a forensic pathologist in the Erie County Coroner's Office, who conducted an autopsy Saturday. "Certainly, the blows to the head are the cause of death, but they may have triggered something else."

McGonigle said it usually takes two weeks for toxicology test results.

Police said they were called at 2 a.m. to the Blue Ribbon Grille, 731 Broadway, and found Blakeley lying on the sidewalk outside bleeding from the face and head.

Jerrold Lee Allen, 31, of 630 Thornton Ave., Sharon, admitted punching Blakeley in the face twice and kicking him once in the side after Blakeley had fallen to the sidewalk, police said.

Allen was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault, but has not been charged with killing Blakeley, said police, adding that they were waiting for the autopsy results before considering other charges.

Police said they have not determined why the men were fighting.

District Justice William L. Fagley, Greenville, presided over Allen's video arraignment. Allen was taken to Mercer County Jail after failing to post $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing was set for 1:30 p.m. Friday before District Justice Henry J. Russo, Hermitage.

Sharon police assisted in the investigation.

Incomplete obituary information on page A-6.