Minto ready to try again
CENTER TWP — Butler's Brian Minto plans to get back in the ring against Cory Phelps, a 26-year-old cruiserweight from Kentucky, Oct. 29 at Ghost Riders.
Phelps (13-6, 7 KOs) has agreed to the 10-round main event, but still must be approved by the state athletic commission. He has not fought in over a year, according to boxrec.com.
The bout will be part of a pro-am boxing card set to begin at 7 p.m. A local band will perform after the show.
Phelps is coming off an eight-round loss by unanimous decision to Dewey Cooper (17-3-3) in July of 2009 in Las Vegas. He suffered a second-round TKO loss to Tommy Karpency (15-1-1) in January of that year.
"He's a rugged kid who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs about 200 pounds," Minto said. "He had been fighting at light heavyweight, but he's bigger now.
"We're hoping to turn this into a WBC Continental Americas title bout. If I win that belt, I'm right back in the title picture."
Phelps fought Bobby Gunn (18-3) to a six-round draw in March of 2008. His last win was in July of 2008, a majority decision over journeyman Eric Starr.
Minto (34-4, 21 KOs) is coming off consecutive losses, the latest being at the hands of WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck. Minto retired after nine rounds and three knockdowns at the hands of Huck (29-1) on May 1 in Germany.
Huck returned to the ring Saturday and defended his title with a fifth-round TKO of Matt Godfrey (20-1).
Minto's last win was a four-round technical decision over previously unbeaten Donnell Holmes (31-0) Aug. 14 of last year at Pullman Park.
"People can think what they want, but boxing is a very forgiving sport," Minto, 35, said. "People lose all the time and get back in the title picture.
"Evander Holyfield is 48 and just fought for the world title last year. It's all about the fighter, what he wants and who wants him."
Minto said he hasn't stopped training since he was forced to cancel an Aug. 14 show at Pullman Park because of trouble securing an opponent.
"I feel like I can't exhale yet (because of recent losses to Huck and Chris Arreola). That's a bad feeling," Minto said. "But it's good, in a way, because it's kept me focused and kept me hungry."
Other pro fights signed for the Oct. 29 card include Joe Luketic of Kittanning making his pro debut in a 4-round middleweight bout against Corey Gregory of Farrell and Sam Suska of Pittsburgh facing Jerome Black of Cleveland in a super middleweight clash.
Paul Zalus, a heavyweight and former Butler County Community College student, will likely join the card as well. Numerous amateur bouts involving local fighters are also being scheduled.
Tickets ar $75 for ringside, $50 for reserved or $20 for general admission. Seating capacity is 800 with the building's total capacity at 1,280.
Tickets are available at Bill's Beer Barn or by calling 724-321-3688.
