CENTER TWP — In terms of his boxing future, Brian Minto returned to New Zealand looking for answers.

He found some.

Minto, 40, posted a pair of victories Saturday night in a Super 8 cruiserweight tournament eliminator in Christchurch, New Zealand, before losing a controversial split decision to 25-year-old Israel Adesanya in the finals.

The tourney title fight was ruled a draw after three rounds. The judges decided a fourth round should be fought to determine the winner.

“That was highway robbery,” Minto said upon returning home to Butler. “Stuff like that is why I’m salty about the sport. This happens too much in boxing.

“I hate having something taken away that belongs to me. I’m still bitter about it. It’s not right.”

Minto said before going back to New Zealand — where he lost a seventh-round TKO to unbeaten Joseph Parker in July — that he was trying to determine whether to continue fighting. He figured his performance in this tournament would provide a good indicator either way.

He opened the tourney with a second-round TKO of Monty Filimaea (10-11-1) before dominating Daniel Ammann (30-8) for a unanimous three-round decision in his second bout.

Adesanya entered the tournament with an 0-1 pro boxing record — losing to Ammann in November — but with a 41-2 record in mixed martial arts competition. He is from New Zealand.

“He’s athletic, no doubt about that,” Minto said.”But I decidedly beat him in two of those three rounds and the other round was close. Everyone there knew I won.

“That guy reacted after the bell ended the third round, thrashing around, mad at himself. Even he knew he lost. He may have edged me in that extra round, but it never should have happened.”

Minto said he “felt rusty” in the first round of his first bout, but quickly rounded back into form in the second round.

“I took that guy (Filimaea) out pretty quick, then landed sharp, crisp punches all through the next fight,” he said. “And in that last fight, I definitely landed more blows, pounded his body.

“If I fought that guy in a 10-round fight, he wouldn’t make it past the fifth or sixth round. There is no way. I know I still have something left in the tank. I don’t care what my critics say. I’m still in shape and I can still do this.”

Promoters in New Zealand expressed interest in bringing Minto back yet again. His last five fights have been in that country.

But Minto (41-9-4, 26 KO’s) may have other ideas.

“My phone may ring with other opportunities in the United States,” he said. “I’ve got my promoter’s license and may look to put a pro-am card together down at Pullman (Kelly Automotive Park) this summer. It’s been a while since I’ve fought around here.”

Minto returned home with a shiner and a gash in the side of his head that needed to be glued shut.

“He (Adesanya) caught me with an elbow to the side of my head and it opened up pretty good,” Minto said. “He was doing some cheap stuff in the ring. He’s used to using his elbows and legs ... I had to keep from getting tripped a couple of times.

“I got a little tired after going nine rounds. Having to wait an hour to fight again after every three rounds is difficult, but I adjusted.”

Ultimately, Minto would welcome a rematch with Adesanya.

“Maybe we can get them to come over here,” he said. “They put together some things in the U.S. for Parker ... It’d be a long shot, but anything’s possible.”