CENTER TWP — Brian Minto is headed back overseas.

The 38-year-old Butler heavyweight will fight Francesco Pianeta, 28, a German resident originally from Italy, in a 10-round bout Oct. 25 at Brandeburg Halle in Germany.

This will be Minto’s fifth fight overseas. His last — and most recent bout — was a loss by unanimous decision to unbeaten Artur Szpilka in Poland. Minto’s previous fights in Germany were losses to world cruiserweight champion Marco Huck (Minto retired after nine rounds) and a 12-round decision to Luan Krasniqi, along with a sixth-round TKO of Axel Schulz.

“Brian’s been there, done that,” manager Pat Nelson said. “He knows the routine of going over there and he’s fought well over there against quality competition.”

Pianeta (28-1-1, 15 KO’s) is a 6-foot-5 southpaw fighter coming off his first loss. World champion Wladimir Klitschko scored a sixth-round TKO of Pianeta in their title fight May 4.

Minto is 37-6 with 24 KO’s. He is coming off the 10-round loss by unanimous decision to Szpikla on June 15.

“If that fight was scored in the United States, Brian may have won,” Nelson said.

Such is life for an American boxer when he fights in the opponent’s homeland.

“To win this fight, I know I’m gonna have to knock him out,” Minto said. “That’s just how it is. But I’ve been sparring against southpaws and have been in the gym ever since my last fight.

“I’m in great shape and I’m ready.”

Minto said he weighs 213 pounds right now. He has been venturing to Ambridge three or four times a week to train with Tom Yankello, who he reunited with during the past year.

“I’ve been sparring once or twice a week and I go 15 rounds on the heavy bag on nights I don’t spar,” Minto said. “I feel like I’m back to where I was at the peak of my career, training with Tommy.”

Standing 5-foot-11, Minto will give up reach in this fight, as he did against Szpilka. But he was the aggressor throughout the Szpilka fight.

Pianeta won four fights in 2012, including a first-round TKO of Nelson Dario Dominguez (14-1-1) on Nov. 16. He also recorded 10-round unanimous decisions over Frans Botha (48-7-3) and Oliver McCall (56-110 last year.

Szpilka is ranked No. 16 in the world among heavyweights by boxrec.com.

“The winner of this fight winds up ranked in the top 10 and is in position for a world title bout,” Nelson said. “Brian is still just one win away from fighting for a world title.

“He matches up well with this guy. He’s been training and preparing for this type of fighter. If he loses, he’s no worse off. Every fighter has losses, except maybe Floyd (Mayweather).

“Keep holding your own against top competition and your name stays in the game,” Nelson added.

Minto admitted his career would receive a positive jolt with a win over Pianeta.

“At this stage of the game, I know I need a win against a name fighter,” he said. “But I’ve made a career off of upsets. I believe I can win this.”

The fight will be televised live in Germany and will likely be available on the Internet. Broadcast arrangements are to be announced.