For Brian Minto, there's no place like home.

The 35-year-old Butler fighter will try to get his professional boxing career back on track Aug. 14 in a 10-round cruiserweight main event at Pullman Park.

The bout will be for the vacant NABA U.S. cruiserweight title. Pat Nelson, Minto's manager, hopes to have an opponent signed by the end of the week.

"I've got it down to three guys and I know the man I want. He's been approved by the WBA and NABA, and he wants to fight Brian," Nelson said. "It's just a matter of getting a contract signed and in place."

Minto (34-4, 21 knockouts) is coming off losses to WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck and top-5 ranked heavyweight title contender Chris Arreola. He was knocked down a combined five times in those two fights.

Minto suffered a fractured eye socket against Huck in their May 1 bout, but he's been medically cleared to resume his career.

"My wife wanted me to give it up, but I went to a doctor and everything's fine," Minto said. "I'm not ready to give up yet. I lost to two world-class fighters. I can't be too disgusted about that.

"I still believe I can re-establish myself in this sport. I'm not going to jeopardize my health. If the doctors tell me I'm done, I'm done. But that hasn't happened."

Minto hasn't won since he last fought at Pullman, claiming a four-round technical decision over then-unbeaten Donnell Holmes in a heavyweight bout last Aug. 14. That fight was stopped by a head-butt. Holmes appealed the ruling and lost.

This will be Minto's third fight at Pullman in as many years. He knocked out John Poore in the first round on July 2, 2008, at the ballpark.

Nelson said he believes Minto needs to win his next two cruiserweight bouts to get another shot at a world cruiserweight title.

"No question that needs to happen," Nelson said. "Brian needs a win for his own confidence as well as the world title picture.

"He just lost to the best cruiserweight in the world while dropping to cruiserweight for the first time in his career," Nelson added. If he wins his next two cruiserweight fights and adjusts to that division, yeah, I still believe he can win a world title."

Following this fight, Minto is still under contract to Sauerland Events in Germany for one more fight this year. That bout likely will take place in December.

The Aug. 14 card will be a pro-am event, with seven amateur bouts and three or four professional fights.

"I'm hoping to give some local amateur a chance to showcase their abilities," Minto said. "It's an opportunity to give boxing another boost in this area and provide an entertaining night out for people locally.

"Butler has supported me in the past. I'm anxious to prove I'm still willing to work toward my goal of getting a championship," he added.