By Rick Reeno

It was decided by a panel of medical experts on Monday that the best recommendation for undefeated heavyweight Joe Mesi is to stop boxing. The Nevada Athletic Advisory Board voted unanimously to uphold Mesi's medical suspension from the ring. The Nevada State Athletic Commission will consider next month if Mesi will ever be allowed to fight again. Should the commission vote against Mesi, he would not be able to fight anywhere in the Unites States. 

Joe Mesi suffered serious head injuries from unanimous decision win over former cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov. Mesi was easily winning the fight until Jirov caught up with him in the last two rounds. Mesi was knocked down 3 times in the last two rounds and took many hard shots flush on the head. Medical tests performed after the fight revealed that Mesi suffered bleeding on the brain as a result of taking the hard shots from Jirov.

The medical evidence presented to the board suggested that Mesi may have suffered up to three subdural hematomas. Two of the subdural hematomas occurred during the bout with Jirov and another occurred a few weeks later when Mesi was lifting a heavy dresser. The board is very concerned that Mesi could possibly get killed if he is allowed to fight again. 

Vassiliy Jirov is far from the hardest hitting heavyweight and that is why the board board is even more concerned about Mesi taking a flush shot from a much bigger heavyweight opponent.

``You're at significant risk of cranial injury and dying in the ring,'' said neurosurgeon Dr. Albert Capanna

``I don't want to read about him in an obituary,'' Dr. Jeffrey Parker said.

Despite all the medical evidence and sizable risk in returning to the ring, Joe Mesi is still hungry to return to action. Mesi feels that his health is not as risk and he will do everything in his power to fight again. 

``My health and my principals are more important than money and success, I don't want to see a boxer die.'' Mesi said.

As result of the various ring related deaths and injuries over the last few years, numerous State Athletic Commissions are starting to crack down on fighters who they feel are at a health risk.

Last year, heavyweight Evander Holyfield was suspended from active boxing by the New York State Athletic Commission following a one-sided loss to fringe contender Larry Donald. Holyfield has to be medically examined by the NYS Athletic Commission's appointed doctor in order to return to the ring. Holyfield fought the suspension and vowed a return to the ring. To date, Holyfield has not gone through with the medical examination in order to start the return process. Close friends of Holyfield have said that Evander is no longer considering a return to the ring.