Brian Minto was looking at a two-month layoff before his nationally-televised fight July 23 in Atlantic City, N.J.

That just wouldn't do.

So trainer Tom Yankello and manager Pat Nelson got the 29-year-old unbeaten heavyweight a couple of fights in between just to keep him active.

"Brian's been very active and we want to keep him that way," Yankello said.

Fresh off a second-round knockout of Travis Fulton less that two weeks ago, Minto (16-0, 9 KO's) will climb into the ring Wednesday night at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, W.Va., against Kevin Tallon (9-15, 4 KO's) of Cincinnati, Ohio, for a scheduled four-round bout.

Before the Fulton fight, Minto's last ring action was a second-round KO of Mike Middleton in Harmarville May 22. He is scheduled to face Vincent Maddalone (21-1) in a 10-round co-main event July 23 at the Tropicana Casino Resort in Atlantic City.

The Maddalone fight will be aired live on ESPN2.

"These are just a couple of tune-up fights to keep me sharp," Minto said.

"I don't believe any fight is a tune-up fight," Yankello said. "There's always a risk when you step into the ring.

"Any fighter has a chance to beat you."

Tallon's chances may be slim, however. He is 41, has dropped his last six fights and hasn't won since getting the decision against Henry Dubray Dec. 1, 2000.

Tallon failed to get out of the second round in four consecutive fights before losing a decision to Jeremy Bates last Sunday.

Minto scored a TKO over Bates two months ago in Wheeling, W.Va., to win the West Virginia heavyweight championship. Wednesday's fight will not be for that title.

"I guess you'd classify him (Tallon) as a journeyman," Nelson said. "His biggest claim to fame is going the distance against Butterbean (Eric Esch). And he did take Bates the distance in his last fight.

"It's weird. He took Butterbean the distance, then got knocked out by George Linberger, who got knocked out early by Butterbean."

The Minto-Tallon fight is on the under-card of the NABC America's eight-round title bout between Aliquippa's Verquan Kimbrough (7-0) and New York City's Ubaldo "Razor" Olivencial (5-5-2).

Minto said he wishes the Tallon fight was scheduled for more than four rounds.

"I'd like to get more work in," he said. "I took three weeks off and have been back training for two weeks, but I never got out of shape.

"I maintained my running and watched my diet. I'm ready to go."

Yankello is happy the bout won't go longer than four rounds, however.

"We don't want to overdo it right now, take a chance on Brian getting cut or something," Yankello said. "This fight falls right in line with his training. We'll have him back in the gym the next day.

"Brian's in great condition. He can go four solid rounds and be ready for the Maddalone fight in two and a half weeks."

When Minto faces Tallon Wednesday, it will be the former's 17th pro fight in 20 months.

"He got a late start in the game and we're trying to shave some years off,." Nelson said. "There's nothing wrong with doing that as long as you stay healthy.

"Brian is still considered prospect status. We want to get him to contender status. A 20-0 record and a win over Maddalone on national TV just might get him there."

Minto is ranked No. 78 in the world by boxrec.com. Maddalone is ranked No. 98.