Upon further review, Brian Minto remains the WBO North American heavyweight champion — for now.

The Pennsylvania Athletic Commission decided Tuesday to have another hearing concerning the outcome of the Aug. 14 Minto-Donnell Holmes fight before rendering an official decision.

"We're shooting for Sept. 22, but that's not a confirmed date at this point," said Charlie Young, Pennsylvania department of state deputy press secretary. "The need is there for a more complete hearing."

Minto was awarded a technical decision over Holmes after the referee ruled an accidental head-butt created a gash over Minto's eye that prevented the Butler fighter from continuing beyond the fourth round.

Minto was ahead on all three judges' cards when the bout was stopped.

Monday's formal review of the fight, resulting in the change of the technical decision to a no-contest, involved only Holmes and his legal representation.

"That was way too one-sided. No way was that ruling going to stand up," Minto said. "The referee wasn't even there and he was standing three feet from where everything happened. That's like having a murder trial without inviting the key witness."

The next hearing will involve representatives from both sides, along with referee Rick Steigerwald "and just about everyone else who was involved that night," said Minto's manager, Pat Nelson.

Young said the eventual ruling of a no-contest remains a possibility and that "it was possible" Steigerwald would be at the next hearing.

If it is ruled that a punch caused the gash, Holmes could be awarded the victory by a technical knockout.

"There has to be indisputable evidence for that to happen and that evidence just doesn't exist," Nelson said.

Nelson said the no-contest ruling never became official.

"The decision was never changed on Fight Fax, which is what everybody goes by," he said. "That's where boxrec.com gets its information and the world rankings are based on official information."

If Minto's victory over Holmes stands, he will be ranked in the WBC's Top 15. He already is ranked in the WBO and WBA.

"I have a lot to lose here if they change that ruling," Mingo said. "That's why I want to make sure we get a fair hearing."

Minto hired Harrisburg-based attorney Mark Duffy to represent him at the hearing.