Butler native Brian Minto, right, signed with Xcite Fight Promotions, which is based in Australia, and he plans to get back in the ring. Minto hasn't box since last March.

CENTER TWP — Brian Minto is under new management.

The 40-year-old Butler boxer has signed on with Xcite Fight Promotions — based in Australia — after turning down a recent offer to fight undefeated Lucas Browne.

Browne is managed by Matt Clark and is also under contract with XFP.

“He has a mandatory WBA heavyweight title shot coming and they wanted me to fight him on a week’s notice,” Minto said of Browne. “The guy is 6-foot-4, 245 pounds ... I thought it over because it would have been an opportunity, but it just wasn’t the right thing for me to do.”

Minto has fought numerous times overseas and his name is big enough in New Zealand and Australia to attract interest from XFP. He signed a two-year contract that guarantees him two or three fights each year.

XFP does put on fights in the United States, “so all of my fights won’t necessarily be over there (Australia),” Minto said.

“I could be fighting in 90 days or so. I expect something may happen pretty quick,” he added.

Minto is 41-9 with 26 KO’s in his career. His last in-ring action was a cruiserweight tournament March 28 in New Zealand, where he lost a controversial split decision in the finals.

The first opponent XFP is trying to land for Minto is veteran cruiserweight Danny Green, 42. Green is 34-5 with 28 KO’s and won a comeback bout by unanimous decision over Roberto Bolonti (36-3) on Wednesday.

“We fight the same straight-ahead style, so it’d be a good fight that way,” Minto said. “I know Danny pretty well because he did the color commentary on Skye TV when I fought in New Zealand.

“It makes sense from the business side because I’m pretty popular in New Zealand and Danny is popular in Australia. We both could make some money there.”

Clark said in a released statement that he’s thrilled about Minto coming on board.

“Brian Minto is an absolute warrior,” Clark said. “He’s never in a bad fight and quite simply, when fight fans pay money to watch Brian Minto fight, they get their money’s worth.

“We’re very excited about teaming up with him and getting him meaningful fights. Danny looked fantastic (Wednesday) and he’s a great ambassador for boxing.”

Clark said he plans to inquire with Green’s fight team about the possibility of a Green-Minto bout.

Minto admitted to being hesitant about signing a contract with another promotion company.

“I’ve been shorted about $150,000, at least, during my career,” he said. “I thought long and hard before I signed that paper. At this point in my life, I don’t need to be playing games.

“But everything is up front and clear in this contract. It suits me. At this stage of my career, I want all my fights to be meaningful ones and this group can do that for me.”

Minto plans to play out his career as a cruiserweight, but remains open to heavyweight possibilities.

“It’s just so hard when you’re the smaller guy in there,” he said.