Minto fight postponed
CENTER TWP — Brian Minto’s scheduled heavyweight fight in Germany with Francesco Pianeta Oct. 25 has been postponed — and may be canceled.
One of the boxers slated for the main event on that card, Robin Krasniqi, had to pull out due to injury. Krasniqi was slated to fight Oleksandr Cherviak for the WBO European light heavyweight title.
“The fight’s been postponed and we’re not going to count on it,” Minto said of a possible resheduling. “This business is minute to minute and we accept that.
“I’ve been training, I’m in shape and ready, so I’m going to fight somebody somewhere, either at the end of November or beginning of December.”
Minto’s manager, Pat Nelson, said a rescheduling of the Pianeta fight depends on the severity of Krasniqi’s injury and how long he’ll be out.
“We’re working on either a rescheduling of Pianeta or a new opponent altogether,” Nelson said.
The 38-year-old Minto (37-6, 24 KOs) is looking at a possible match against undefeated Amir Mansour (19-0, 14 KO’s) or he may wind up on the under-card of Paul Spadafora’s WBA super lightweight interim title bout against Johan Perez Nov. 30 at Mountaineer Racetrack and Resort Nov. 30 in Chester, W.Va.
Mansour, from Wilmington, Del., is 41 and has done prison time.
“He’s an interesting story. I’m seen him on tape and he hits hard,” Minto said.
A Minto-Mansour bout would likely take place in Atlantic City, N.J., and could be televised on NBC.
“Those are just opponents who may be available,” Nelson cautioned. “Nothing is under negotiation at this time. We’re just exploring what’s out there.”
Minto has not fought since dropping a 10-round decision to undefeated Artur Szpilka June 15 in Poland.
“I got cut in sparring a couple of weeks ago, just a nick above my left eye, but it’s healed nicely,” Minto said. “Stuff like that happens, so maybe this is a blessing in disguise.”
Nelson is confident Minto will get a fight within the next couple of months, with Pianeta remaining a possibility.
“We should know something within the next week,” he said.
