CENTER TWP — Four years ago, Brian Minto ended his professional boxing career.

He's never left the gym.

In fact, he's developed his own.

The Center Township resident, now 45, has built a gym on the bottom floor of his property, became certified as a kettlebell instructor, and now works out athletes on a regular basis.

“I'm working with four people in boxing right now and another six or so with kettlebells,” Minto said.

“I always wanted to stay in shape after my career. I didn't want to become dormant. With this gym, I can help train others while keeping in shape myself.”

While Minto's clientele involves athletes of all ages, he says none currently have visions of developing a boxing career of their own.

They've simply found an entertaining way to train and exercise.

Minto's gym features punching bags, kettlebells, plenty of boxing gloves and a timer that counts off three-minute rounds.

“I do some light sparring with people myself, nothing too heavy, just to give them a feel for it,” Minto said. “Sparring sessions are great workouts.”

Sean Montgomery, 42, of Harrisville, has been coming to Minto's gym twice a week for seven months.

“I found out about it through one of my sons, a football player at Slippery Rock High School, who knew about it,” Montgomery said. “It's a different kind of workout. I love it.

“The cardio is fantastic. This has really gotten me into shape.”

Kettlebells are smaller weights that enable more dynamic movements. They are known for increasing heart rate, burning extra fat and toning muscle.

“Kettlebell training is big in Russia,” Minto said. “I've come to believe in it through personal experience. My shoulders and lower back are stronger than ever.

“My workouts are all about agility and body movements. I train people who have different goals. One guy is prepping to try bare-knuckle fighting in Ireland.”

Montgomery has no visions of becoming a boxer.

“I'm 42, I'm not about that,” he said. “But I've sparred against a few guys and it's fun. Plus, I'm being trained by a former pro heavyweight boxer. That's pretty cool.”

Minto was 42-11 in a pro boxing career that spanned 14 years. He once fought for the WBO world cruiserweight title, losing to Marco Huck.

He had 27 knockouts in his career, won four championship belts and was victorious in his final fight, a four-round TKO of Andreas Csomor in September of 2016 at Pullman Park.

Minto's four championship belts are framed on a wall and displayed in his gym.

Jared, 28, of Butler, is another one of Minto's clients. He's at the gym two or three nights a week.

“I saw all of his fights at Pullman,” said Jared, who declined to provide his last name. “I was out of town for six years and when I came back, I heard he was still here and was running a gym.

“I'm just here training and conditioning. Brian is all about technique. He knows how to get the most out of a workout.”

Minto had lofty goals as a fighter. Now his goal is to help others achieve theirs.

“If I can help somebody realize a dream like I did, or just have fun sparring with guys and keeping up cardio, I'm fine with that,” he said.