Brian Minto can’t seem to catch a break.

The 38-year-old Butler heavyweight boxer hears the scuttlebut from critics that he’s past his prime and should hang it up.

While trying to prove those critics wrong, Minto has been taking on talented opponents overseas, in their home countries, beating them to the punch, almost breaking their will.

And losing.

His last two scheduled ring appearances have certainly gone that way.

Minto took on undefeated Polish fighter Artur Szpilka last June in Poland and chased him around the ring for 10 rounds.

When Szpilka had a chance to grab Minto and hang on, he did so. The man was not interested in throwing punches, getting hit or getting hurt.

Somehow, he got the decision.

A little over a week ago, Minto took part in the Prizefighter Tournament in London. He drew a guy with a 3-1 record in the first fight — a guy whose three wins came against opponents with a combined 28-79 record — and Minto won by split decision.

He pretty much pounded the guy for all three rounds.

Minto then locks up with Michael Sprott, a 36-year-old veteran fighter from the United Kingdom. He had Sprott pinned against the ropes repeatedly over the final two rounds, landing punches while Sprott covered up.

At one point, Sprott put one foot through the ropes to get the referee to step in and halt a barrage of punches.

Minto winds up losing a unanimous decision.

This is pretty much expected in boxing. Fight a guy in his hometown or home country and unless you knock him out, don’t expect to win.

It’s become ridiculous.

Judges are positioned outside of the ring to score bouts — there are supposedly rules in this sport to determine the outcome of matches.

Yet fighters — including Minto — accept matches in certain venues knowing full well that if they don’t put the other guy on the canvas, they’re not going to win.

Yes, Minto is 38 years old and will turn 39 in late January. He’s also an extremely physical fit heavyweight who has maintained his weight between 215 and 222 pounds for years.

Numerous heavyweights are still active today well into their 40’s — Oliver McCall is 48, James Toney 45, David Tua 41.

Minto is 38-7 with 24 knockouts in his career. When one considers his last 28 opponents have winning records — 15 of those with four or fewer losses at the time they’ve fought — and that win-loss slate is that much more impressive.

Since he has reunited with trainer Tommy Yankello, who stresses defensive technique, Minto has not come close to getting hurt in the ring.

The man needs to get a fair shake against a world-class opponent to see how he truly stacks up.

Here’s hoping he gets it.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle