SLIPPERY ROCK— Brian Minto is fighting in front of the home folks — again.

Less than two months after completing a first-round knockout of John Poore at Pullman Park, the Butler heavyweight has officially signed a contract to have his next fight Nov. 1 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Fieldhouse.

The six-bout card is scheduled for 8 p.m.. One of the under-card matches features Butler heavyweight Jim Emrick (6-1-1) against Jason Freeman (3-0) of Akron, Ohio, in a six-round clash.

Minto's opponent has not been determined.

"We're working with a few names here," said Pat Nelson, Minto's manager. "This will dfefinitely be an opponent of higher caliber than in Brian's recent fights.

"Brian is preparing for a world championship fight and he wants somebody who is going to give him rounds."

Minto (31-2, 20 KOs) has won his last four fights via first-round knockout.

"Whatever happens, happens," Minto said. "It's not a staged act. I'll be in there throwing punches with bad intentions."

Minto is a former linebacker for the SRU football team. The Rock hosts Lock Haven for a 1 p.m. kickoff that afternoon.

Ringside tables are available by calling 724-504-6708, starting on Monday. VIP ringside (front row) seats are $250. Tables are $1,000 and $500, respectively.

Bleacher seats are $35 and will be on sale next week at the SRUathletic office. Call 724-738-2767.

"We've hosted many multiple events on one day here before,"SRUathletic director Paul Lueken said. "We're hoping a lot of people come out for the football game and the boxing match.

"This is a different form of entertainment for our area. We're excited about it."

Minto's boxing show at Pullman Park sold out in two weeks.

"We're hoping for similar results,"Lueken said.

Capacity for the show will be approximately 3,200, including 700 seats on the floor.

The caliber of Minto's opponent may be decided by the TVcontract. Nelson is negotiating with Showtime to air the show, which could bring in a world-class opponent.

Other TVoptions include FSN, Armstrong cable or some type of delayed broadcast.

Minto, 33, is ranked No. 10 in the world by the WBOand No. 15 by the WBA. He holds the WBA's Fedecentro heavyweight belt and the Pennsylvania heavyweight crown.

"I want to keep moving up in the rankings and become a mandatory challenger for a world title,"Minto said. "There are no big fights out there for me right now, so I want to keep busy in the meantime.

"You can't just go fight somebody. It's not that simple. The fight has to be available."

Minto had hoped to fight at Pullman Park in August, but such plans were tabled after the sudden death of his mother, Audrey, a few weeks ago.

"I'm dedicating this fight to my mom," Minto said. "I miss her. There was a time to grieve ... I'm still grieving. But it's time to get back to business.

"I want to take this anger out on somebody else."

Until a title fight breaks for Minto, he may continue to fight in Butler County.

"We're looking at Pullman Park as a summer home and Slippery Rock as a winter home for him,"Nelson said. "Brian has built his fan base in Butler County and people want to see him fight here.

"Depending on how this fight goes, we may be back at (Morrow Fieldhouse) again in February."

Lueken said more boxing shows featuring Minto is a possibility down the road.

"If this show goes well — and we're anticipating it will — we'd love to do it again,"he said. "Being able to host a world-class local boxer like this is a neat thing."