The clock is ticking on Brian Minto’s professional boxing career.

No worries — trainer Tom Yankello says it could keep on ticking for quite a while yet.

“Brian got started as a pro relatively late (age 28) and he doesn’t have that much wear and tear on him,” Yankello said. “I’m seeing no sign of any physical decline, no reflex issues and the guy has always kept himself in great shape.

“He can certainly go another two or three years, at least until he’s 40.”

Butler’s Minto, 37, steps into the ring Saturday night at The Harv in Chester, W.Va., to face Mike Sheppard (20-13-1) of Palestine, W.Va. in a 12-round heavyweight bout for the vacant NABA championship.

Winner of the fight receives a top-15 ranking in the World Boxing Association.

The bout is a co-feature on a card that includes former IBF world champion Paul Spadafora (45-0-1), who has a scheduled eight-round welterweight fight with WBA Fedecentro champion Wilfredo Negron (26-15-1).

Minto (36-5, 23 KOs) reunited with Yankello after suffering a third-round TKO at the hands of Tony Grano in their NABF heavyweight title eliminator Jan. 28 in New York.

“Tommy is one of the best defensive trainers out there,” Minto said. “I’ve been driving to Ambridge to work with him virtually every day for the past six weeks.”

Minto’s last fight was a first-round TKO of Matt Hicks April 28 at The Harv. Sheppard hasn’t fought since losing by first-round TKO to Vinny Maddalone last October in Atlantic City. Sheppard had won five straight fights beforehand.

Minto has knocked out Maddalone twice in his career.

“This is a tough guy and he’s coming to fight.” Yankello said. “He’s not going to lay down. He’ll be looking for the big punch, the early knockout and we’ll be prepared for that.”

Minto agreed.

“He doesn’t back up and neither do I ... I just don’t want to get caught by anything stupid,” Minto said. “This guy has a strong overhand right and I’m going to have to get inside on him because I’m the shorter guy.”

Minto stands 5-foot-11, while Sheppard is 6-2.

Yankello said Minto’s jab is as good as it’s ever been and he expects to use it often come Saturday.

“He’s also keeping his hands up and is rolling his shoulders over well. Brian won’t be an easy target to hit,” the trainer said.

Yankello was Minto’s trainer when the latter scored a sixth-round TKO over German legend Axel Schulz (26-4-1) in 2006, before losing a 12-round decision to sixth-ranked Luan Krasniqi in a return trip to Germany five months later.

“That’s when Brian was at his best,” Yankello said. “He could compete favorably on a world-class level at that stage of his career and we’re getting him back to that point.

“He is almost there ... he’s come a long way in the past two months. Another four-to-six months and he will be as good as he’s ever been.”

First thing’s first — Minto needs a win come Saturday.

“Boxing can be a cruel game,” Minto said. “With everything I’m doing now, I can’t take a step backward.

“A boxer is like a racehorse. You’re only as good as your last race.”

Tickets for the fight card, scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., are available by calling Minto at 724-504-0031.