CENTER TWP — A broken nose and retiring after seven rounds was how Brian Minto’s last fight ended.

He doesn’t want his career to end the same way.

The Butler heavyweight, who turns 40 in January, is scheduled to return to the ring Oct. 25 as part of an eight-man heavyweight tournament in Magdeburg, Germany.

“I’m not sure who the other fighters are in the field, but I understand (longtime ring veteran) Francois Botha is one of them,” Minto said. “It’s a chance to go over there and earn some money.

“My last fight was hard to accept. I went into that fight with a broken nose and that’s painful to do. It was hard to focus. But it was either that or go back home without a paycheck. The bills don’t quit coming in.”

Minto (39-8, 25 KOs) retired after seven rounds against undefeated Joseph Parker July 5 in New Zealand. Minto suffered the broken nose while training for that bout.

Botha, 46, is 48-10-3 with 29 KO’s and fought Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield for world heavyweight titles years ago.

All of the bouts in the tournament are three rounds. Opening match-ups aren’t determined until the weigh-ins the night before.

Minto fought in a similar heavyweight tournament last November in England, defeating Tom Little before losing a unanimous decision to Michael Sprott in the semifinals.

“It will be Oktoberfest over there with all sorts of events going on,” Minto said. “The promoter believes he can sell this show. If he can’t, they may pull the plug on it. That’s happened before.”

Minto has also been invited to participate in a 16-fighter heavyweight tourney Nov. 28 in New York. One heavyweight he’s already knocked out, Mike Sheppard, is on that card.

“I’m in good enough shape to compete in both events,” Minto said. “I’ve been training hard. If the first show falls through, I’ll still have the second one.”

After that, who knows?

“I’m not an up-and-comer anymore,” Minto said. “I know that. But I didn’t want to end it the way that Parker fight ended.

“My heart’s still in it, I’m still in good shape and opportunities are out there, so why not?”

The aggressive, busy style of these tournaments suits him, Minto said.

“You have to go out and win the first two rounds. You can’t sit back,” he said. “You really don’t have time to set things up.

“Get in there and go. That’s what I plan on doing.”