Change in plans
The fight is on — but without Damon Reed.
Brian Minto still will fight for the NABA cruiserweight title Aug. 14 at Pullman Park, but he'll need a new opponent.
Reed (45-13) of Topeka, Kan., has signed to fight former WBC and IBF heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman in Norfolk, Va., on that date.
"We had a contract with Reed, but now he's fighting Rahman," Minto's manager, Pat Nelson, said Thursday. "He obviously can't do both."
"It's all part of the business, I guess," Minto said. "I don't get caught up in that stuff."
Nelson has five possible opponents in mind for Minto (34-4) and plans to have one of them signed sometime next week.
"They're all cruiserweights, but they won't have the ring experience Brian has because cruiserweights don't get that many fights," Nelson said. "But they are all worthy opponents for this title."
Among the potential foes are Ross Thompson, 37, (27-14) of Buffalo, N.Y., Michael Alexander, 36, (12-4) of Columbus, Ohio, Paul Jennette, 41, (11-3) of Greensboro, N.C., and Jim Northey, 31, (11-2) of Punxsutawney.
Thompson fought Montell Griffin, who beat Roy Jones Jr., to a draw May 29.
Northey knocked out NABC Americas cruiserweight champion Nicolai Firtha in the second round to win that belt, but hasn't fought since 2007.
Minto said he never spends much time reviewing tapes of upcoming opponents.
"That can mess you up, trying to figure out what a guy's gonna try to do against you," he said. "I concentrate on my own preparation.
"(New trainer) J.C. Davis is in camp (at California, Pa.) with me now. He's an interesting guy. He breaks everything down. ... He's a great teacher."
Nelson said the fight card has developed into a "fight festival" more than just a Minto bout.
"We'll have three pro fights, 10 amateur bouts and a half-hour tae kwon do demonstration," he said. "The amateurs will be from Butler, Kittanning, Youngstown (Ohio), New Castle and Pittsburgh."
Two four-round pro bouts will accompany the Minto 10-round main event. Heavyweight Paul Zalus (4-1, 4 KOs) of West Deer and lightweight Chris Hazmilhalis (3-0, 3 KOs) of Youngstown will fight opponents to be determined.
The tae kwon do demonstration begins at 7 p.m., the amateur bouts at 7:30.
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $35 for reserved and $50 for ringside. Tickets are available at Pullman Park during live events or at the Butler Redevelopment Authority, 114 Woody Drive, 724-283-0016.
