LINCOLN, R.I. - Former heavyweight contender Joe Mesi won for the seventh time since returning from a brain injury, stopping Shannon Miller at 2:51 of the first round to win the USNBC title Friday night at Twin River Event Center.

Mesi improved to 36-0 with his 29th knockout. He knocked down Miller midway through the round before dropping him for good with a right hook along the ropes.

Mesi, from Tonawanda, N.Y., was ranked in the top 10 before being diagnosed with brain bleeding following his decision over Vassiliy Jirov in Las Vegas in March 2004.

Mesi was suspended by Nevada boxing officials after the injury was revealed and didn't fight for two years. A Nevada judge lifted the suspension after Mesi presented new medical test results and said he had healed and was healthy.

Miller, from Troy, N.Y., dropped to 15-4.

Mesi dedicated the fight to injured Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett and sported Everett's home jersey as he stepped into the ring for his debut with his new promoter, CES president Jimmy Burchfield.

“Clash of the Titans” Full Results From The Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Joe Mesi (36-0, 29 KOs), Buffalo, NY  WKO1 (2:51)  Shannon Miller (15-4, 9 KOs), Troy, NY - (Mesi wins vacant WBC USNCB Championship)

Jason Estrada (10-1, 2 KOs), Providence, RI  WKO4 (3:00)  Jim Northey (11-2, 8 KOs), Brookville, PA

Nagy Aguilera (3-0, 2 KOs), Newburgh, NY  WKO3 (2:53)  Tyrone Smith (5-5-1, 2 KOs), Boston, MA

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Rich Gingras (4-0, 3 KOs), Claremont, NH   WTKO2 (0:39)  Gary Lavender (3-9, 3 KOs), Pine Level, NC
      
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Manuel Antonio Lopes (4-0, 1 KO), Brockton, MA  WDEC4 (40-36, 40-35, 40-36) Zeferino Albino (2-2, 1 KO), N. Philadelphia, PA
   
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Angel Camacho (8-0, 4 KOs)    WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36) Raheen Gordon (4-2, 2 KOs), Killeen, TX

Joe Mesi: “I’m pleased. Obviously any quick ending to a fight is pleasing. A made a few mistakes; it had been a few months since I’d last fought. I was still surprised. Shannon is durable and courageous. I didn’t expect this (1st round KO). I didn’t want to expend too much early, but I guess I expended enough. This was my first fight for CES and Jimmy Burchfield. I think three more fights, stepping up each time, and I could be in line for a title shot. I hope to be back in the top 10 soon. I feel like I’m getting back to where I was. My timing, conditioning, and weight are all back.”