CENTER TWP — Butler heavyweight boxer Brian Minto is participating in a Professional Fighters Brain Health Study being conducted by the Cleveland Clinic.

Minto is among nearly 500 active and retired fighters — boxers and MMA — enrolled in the clinic’s program.

“I was asked to participate and I figured, why not?,” Minto said. “I think it’s a good thing they’re doing. I went out there a couple of weeks ago.”

Minto will turn 41 later this month. He has had 51 professional fights in the past 13 years and has been knocked out or lost by TKO five times. His overall record is 41-10.

The Cleveland Clinic features a 7 Tesla MRI scanner, a powerful imaging tool not commonly available. Minto’s brain was examined by the machine and he will return to Cleveland for periodical monitoring over the next four years.

“The doctors who examined me said my brain appears healthy with no damage,” Minto said. “My speech isn’t slurred at all.

“Some boxers I know, when they talk, you can’t even understand them. I was encouraged by the report I got back. One thing I don’t want to do is leave this sport with any (negative) lingering effects.”

The clinic’s study is designed to learn what specific injuries are most likely to cause long-term diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Minto did not turn pro until age 28 and only had a handful of amateur fights before that.

“I don’t have the wear and tear that a lot of other fighters my age have,” he said.

In fact, he still wants to fight again.

Minto hopes to end his career with a local bout some time this year. He is looking at Kelly Automotive Park as a possible site and he’s been offered opportunities to get on fight cards at the Wheeling Island casino.

Minto has not fought somewhat locally since August of 2012, when he scored a fourth-round TKO over Mike Sheppard at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort in Chester, W.Va.

“They don’t do many fight cards anymore at Mountaineer, but Wheeling does a show every two or three months or so,” Minto said. “I still have my promotional license, so I could put together something in Butler, too.

“I don’t want to fight somebody who’s just going to lay down. I want a competitive fight.”

Minto’s last fight was a third-round TKO loss to undefeated Dillian Whyte in London, England, in September.

“I know I can’t do this forever and that window is closing, but I’m not ready to retire yet,” Minto said. “My gym is completed downstairs in my home and I work out every day. I love it.

“I’ve got four or five young fighters, ages 8 to 15, I’m working with down there, too. I’m just going over fundamentals with them. It helps them and it helps me. Boxing is a great workout.”