CENTER TWP — Over the hill at age 35?

Corey Phelps is saying it, but Brian Minto isn't buying it.

The two will square off for the vacant WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title in a 10-round bout Oct. 29 at Ghostriders in Butler.

Minto, 35, (34-4, 21 knockouts) of Butler hasn't fought since getting knocked down three times by WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck during a May bout in Germany.

Phelps, 24, (13-6-1) of Catlettsburg, Ky., hasn't fought in more than a year.

Phelps, like Minto a former heavyweight, has said he's been training for the perfect cruiserweight opportunity and believes he's found it.

"Brian hasn't been the same since the (Chris) Arreola fight," Phelps said in a recent interview. "He will never be the old Brian Minto again.

"He's done."

Arreola scored a fourth-round TKO over Minto in December in Atlantic City. Minto lost to Huck in his next fight.

Phelps also said he respects Minto as a fighter and what he's accomplished in his career.

Minto is having none of it.

"I don't go for that trash talk, but that's OK," Minto said. "It's motivation for me. He thinks I'm done? We'll find out. More than likely, we'll find him laying on the canvas."

Minto has been training with J.C. Davis, a North Carolina resident who has been in the fight game since 1954. Davis was 105-15 with 63 knockouts as an amateur, 6-1 with four KOs as a pro.

Davis joined the Marine Corps at that point and began working with boxers there. He has trained seven eventual world champions, including heavyweights Ken Norton, Mike Weaver and Leon Spinks.

"Norton was a football player and Weaver a weightlifter before they began boxing in the Marines," Davis said.

"I'll help any boxer who lives the right lifestyle and eats the right food. Brian is one of those guys. Otherwise, I'm not gonna waste my time.

"I'm working more with Brian's mind than his fists. He's got the physical tools. Boxing is an art. It takes ingenuity, speed, balance and reflexes to be successful at the higher level," Davis added.

Minto said Davis has taught him to slip punches without getting off-balance.

"The difference between mediocre fighters and champions is that champions punch in three-, four- or five-hand combinations, not one or two at a time," Minto said. "I found that out first hand against Huck.

"Yeah, I've lost, but I've lost to some of the best in the world. I'm 35 and my body has never felt better," he added.

Minto weighed 204 pounds Monday and planned to spar for eight to 10 rounds Tuesday.

"I'm going to pressure this guy hard from the opening bell. He can run or dance all he wants. I'll find him," Minto said.

Tickets are $20, $50 and $75 and are available at Bill's Beer Barn or by calling 724-287-6923.

The Jentz, a rock band, will perform from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., after the fight card.

PRO-AM FIGHT CARD

---

7:30 p.m., Oct. 29GhostridersBrian Minto (34-4) vs. Corey Phelps (13-6-1), 10 rounds, WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight titleSam Suska (0-2) vs. John Stallings (1-2), four rounds, 168 poundsJohn Fairley (0-2) vs. Greg Hackett (0-3), four rounds, 166 poundsJoe Luketic (debut) vs. Cliff Gregory (1-6-5), four rounds, 151 poundsAnthony Clark (2-7) vs. Justin Johnson (1-1-1), four rounds, 139 pounds10 amateur matches TBA