TOPEKA, Ks. — For 14 months, Damon Reed's eyes have been on Brian Minto.

Come Aug. 14, the 38-year-old cruiserweight has a chance to put his hands on him.

Reed (45-13-0, 32 KOs) has signed on to face Butler's Minto (34-4, 21 KOs) in the 10-round main event for the vacant NABA United States cruiserweight title at Pullman Park.

"Ever since we sent Matthew Greer to fight Brian (April 17, 2009), I've had interest in fighting him myself," Reed said. "Matt took a beating that night, but he hung in there against Brian and I won't be anywhere near as easy to hit, I can tell you that."

Reed and his partner, Craig Cummings, have scheduled most of the fights in Greer's career. A bloodied Greer lost an eight-round unanimous decision to Minto that night, with Reed working Greer's corner.

Reed himself has not fought since Nov. 13 of last year, when he scored a third-round TKO of Jim Franklin (8-12-2). Reed stopped Buck Smith in the first round in April of last year.

"I haven't fought since November because I've been committed to fighting Minto," Reed said. "I was supposed to fight him a couple of times earlier, but he got those fights against Chris Arreola and Marco Huck instead.

"I understand that completely. When the bigger paydays come along, you have to take them. I'm a businessman myself. Everybody has to eat, so get the money when you can."

Reed signed the contract Monday to fight Minto and began an eight-week training program Monday night. He had eight weeks to train before losing a unanimous decision to Sebastiaan Rothmann for the WBU cruiserweight title in 2000.

"All I ask for is sufficient time to get ready for a fight," Reed said. "Eight weeks is plenty of time. I had eight weeks to get ready for Rothmann and that was probably the best fight of my career.

"If I don't come in there prepared for that fight, it's my own fault."

Reed has fought for numerous titles during his career. He was knocked out 52 seconds into a WBO heavyweight title bout by Herbie Hide in 1998. He previously held the Midwest cruiserweight and WBF Americas cruiserweight titles.

"The guy's been fighting a long time," Minto said. "He has more rounds of experience than I do."

Like Minto, Reed had a limited amateur career. He turned pro after just nine amateur bouts.

Reed has won five of his last seven bouts, knocking down Andy Sample seven times before winning by sixth-round TKO in April of 2007. Minto knocked out Sample 37 seconds into their 2006 heavyweight fight.

"I've fought about 50-50 cruiserweight and heavyweight," Reed said. "I can go either way. I've made some nice money in heavyweight bouts, but cruiserweight is more natural for me."

Reed said he weighs 214 pounds right now "but I can shed nine pounds just like that. I'll have no problem making weight."

Minto admitted he has no room to suffer a third consecutive loss.

"I can't (afford to lose). I know I can't. It's pretty much do-or-die for me now," he said.

Fighting a Minto whose career is backed to the wall never occurred to Reed.

"A loss to me and he's nowhere," Reed said. "That fact may cause him to be over-aggressive, walk into something ... It could hurt him.

"I'm coming to fight. I've got a nice left and good straight right hand. I won't be running from Brian. I won't be easy to hit, either."

Reed and his brother, Derek, have been successful co-owners of a sports restaurant in Topeka for five years.

"Forty TVs, four pool tables, it's going well," Reed said.

So why fight?

"I love the challenge of competing and I love boxing," he said. "I don't slur my words, I've suffered no ill effects from the sport. I feel good when I get in shape and this motivates me to do that.

"And, yes, I like getting paid. If the money's there, I'll take it."

Minto said the fight will be competitive.

"He's a dangerous guy and I respect him like I respect all of my opponents," Minto said. "I don't take anyone lightly. This guy might be hard to get to. I'm expecting a good show.

"I know I'll do my part. It's up to him to do his."