The opponent has changed. Brian Minto's anticipated result has not.

Gary Winman is out. Forrest Neal, a 6-foot-4 inch southpaw with an 81-inch reach, is in. Butler's Minto (21-1 12 KOs) will face Neal (16-7, 12 KOs) in an eight-round pro heavyweight main event Wednesday night at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, W.Va.

"I haven't faced a left-hander since my third pro fight," Minto said. "It doesn't matter. It's all the same. He's getting knocked out, too."

Neal has been knocked out in each of his last three fights, including the third round of a July 2 bout against Michael Marrone (9-0).

"Marrone's one of (Lou) Duva's guys," Minto said. "He's OK, he's a strong kid, but he's nothing special. And he tore right through him."

Minto's originally scheduled opponent, Winman (25-16, 17 KOs), pulled out of the fight last week.

Neal, 32, a former street gang member in Detroit, was more than happy to step in.

"I've taken fights on short notice before," Neal said. "I eat, drink and sleep boxing. I'm always training and I'm always ready.

"I don't claim to be the best, but I know how to beat the best."

Neal turned pro at age 20 after spending a few years on the streets, belonging to a gang and getting involved in drugs.

"I had to do something to get off the streets and turn around my life," he said. "Boxing was it."

Neal's most impressive win is a six-round TKO of Kenny Lunkins (15-1-1) on June 17, 2004. He since has been stopped in the fourth round by Steve Cunningham (15-0), in the third round by Tirvov Vassiliy (33-3) and in the third round by Marrone.

Vassiliy was the world cruiserweight champion when he fought Neal.

Neal's last five opponents have a combined won-loss record of 87-5-1.

"Minto's a club fighter and they've built up his record," Neal said. "It would help my reputation by beating him, but he would gain more by beating me.

"I'll adjust to whatever type of fight it is. If he wants to box, I'll box. If he wants to slug it out, we can slug. We'll get together. … May the best man win."

Minto said he plans to spend the first round feeling out Neal's style.

"He's more like a cruiserweight, tall and lanky," Minto said. "We'll weigh about the same, but I bet I'm a lot stronger than he is.

"I'm not going to exchange jabs with him. He's a lot taller and I'll have to get inside on him. But I can do that."

Minto will enter the fight at about 212 pounds, He is ranked 46th in the world by boxrec.com while Neal is ranked 246th.

Minto's lone loss is to Tony Tubbs, then 46, in a split decision Dec. 30, 2004, at The Harv.

"They considered Tony Tubbs a world-class fighter," Neal said. "I don't fight guys from the graveyard. I fight guys who are happening now."

Tom Yankello, Minto's trainer, expects his fighter to polish off Neal within five rounds.

"Brian's been steam-rolling the way he's been training," Yankello said. "His defense is his most improved feature, but he's gotten better in all areas, including his punching power, speed, and hand-foot coordination.

"You would assume this guy will be a stiffer test (than Winman), but I'm not concerned. Brian's ready to fight someone in the top 10 right now."

Such a fight is on hold for now. Minto hopes to fight on the next HBO or Showtime boxing card, but none is scheduled until late February or March.

If all goes well Wednesday, Minto might return to The Harv as part of a fight card slated for Dec. 30.

"I don't really want to, but I'd rather stay busy than sit," he said.

About 200 people have bought tickets through Minto for Wednesday's fight. He's anticipating more fans from Butler being on hand.

"There's usually a pretty good walk-up sale, but this is a holiday, so it's hard to say," he said. "Either way, it will be loud."

The fight card is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the gate.