BUTLER TWP — The timing may be right. The time is definitely now.

Brian Minto's dream of securing a world heavyweight title fight likely will be realized if he defeats Chris Arreola in their 10-round Dec. 5 bout on HBO.

The telecast, which includes a 12-round middleweight main event pitting three-time world champion Paul Williams (37-1, 27 KOs) against WBC super welterweight champion Sergio Martinez (44-1-2, 24 KOs), begins at 9:30 p.m.

Butler's Minto (34-2, 21 KOs) and Arreola (27-1, 24 KOs) of Riverside, Calif., represent the co-feature at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

"This is basically a title eliminator," Minto said. "That's how I'm looking at it."

Minto, 34, enters the fight ranked No. 5 in the world by the WBO and No. 15 by the WBA. Arreola's last fight was his first and only loss — a WBC world title fight Sept. 26 against champion Vitali Klitschko that was stopped after 10 rounds.

"This is a very dangerous fight for Arreola so quickly after his bruising challenge against Klitschko," said Dan Goossen, Arreola's promoter, in a prepared statement. "But, on the other hand, he's never backed away from a challenge and Minto will certainly give him one."

Arreola was never knocked down in the Klitschko fight and only one of Arreola's previous 27 opponents went the distance against him.

"(Arreola) has been knocked down before, but he gets up and fights harder," Minto said.

"It's a big risk, taking this fight on fairly short notice, but the reward is certainly worth it. (WBA champion) David Hay has already called me and said, 'Hey, if you win, let's fight.'"

Pat Nelson, Minto's promoter, said the Butler boxer's next fight "will most likely be for a world title" if he wins.

Minto stands 5-foot-11 and expects to weigh in at about 220 pounds. Arreola stands 6-4 and figures to weigh in at 250 pounds or more.

Minto has been sparring big opponents in preparation for the size differential.

"Chris Koval is 6-3, 280, another guy I've been sparring is 6-4, 275, Nick Firtha is 6-5, 250 — I've been having these guys come in the ring every other round so I'm always seeing somebody fresh," Minto said.

"The longer this fight goes, I think it plays to my advantage."

Arreola, 28, has 91 rounds of pro boxing experience. Minto turned pro at age 28 and has 164 rounds of experience in the pro game.

"At age 34, this was an opportunity Brian couldn't pass up and his conditioning can play a major factor in this fight," Nelson said. "Arreola went through a war with Klitschko not all that long ago."

Minto has brought back the services of his former trainer, Tom Yankello, for this bout. The trainer for his last fight, Freddie Roach, will be in England working another fight that weekend.

"Tommy's an expert on defense and that's a big part off this match," Minto said. "I know him and he knows me. He knows what kind of opportunity this is for me and believes we can pull it off.

"I may get clocked right off the bat or I may get an early opening and get to him right away. You never know how it's gonna go, but it's important I don't get caught up in the early excitement and emotion and leave my game. Tommy and I have devised a game plan and we're working on seeing it through."

Arreola's handlers wanted to fight Derric Rossy, 29, who has a 22-2 record with 12 knockouts, on this HBO card. The network refused to televise that matchup.

Minto said HBO wanted to match him and Arreola "because the potential is there for fireworks. Your legs can only dance around for so long. There will be a few rounds that may become all-out wars."

Nelson said Arreola's camp originally wasn't enthused about a Minto matchup.

"It showed in the negotiations. I didn't think this fight would happen. But in the end, HBO picks the fights it wants, then gets the promoters to put it together," Nelson said.

Minto is coming off a four-round technical decision of previously unbeaten Donnell Holmes last August at Pullman Park. Holmes' camp appealed the referee's ruling that a head butt ended that fight.

The hearing recently took place in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission will not render a ruling until after Jan. 1.