In terms of ring competition, the year 2012 is over for Brian Minto.

His career continues on.

The Butler heavyweight boxer turns 38 in late January and has not fought since his fourth-round TKO of Mike Sheppard in August. That win netted him the vacant NABA USA heavyweight title.

“We’ve been getting calls from people since Brian won that title,” manager Pat Nelson said. “The money just hasn’t been right.

“We’re looking for a significant fight right now. The club shows are over. There’s a Dec. 1 fight card at Mountaineer (Chester, W.Va.) and Brian won’t be there. It’s just not worth it to him right now.”

Minto has been in Poland for the past few weeks, sparring with 21-year-old cruiserweight Garrett Wilson of Philadelphia, helping Wilson get ready for a Dec. 12 bout against unbeaten Pawel Kolodziej (30-0, 17 KOs).

Minto expects to return from Poland a couple of weeks before Christmas.

“Those are good workouts for Brian. He’s staying in shape and is helping out another guy at the same time,” Nelson said. “He wants to be ready to take the right fight when it comes along.

“This is the hungriest, most motivated I’ve seen Brian in years. You’re going to see an extremely motivated Brian Minto in 2013.”

Nelson said Minto’s next fight will likely be early next year. The updated World Boxing Association rankings will be released in a couple of weeks and Minto (37-5, 24 KOs) will get a top-15 ranking because of his title belt.

Minto fought three times this year — rebounding from a third-round TKOloss to Tony Grano in January to win a pair of bouts — and Nelson plans on getting him three fights in 2013.

“We want to keep him busy because he’s at his best that way,” Nelson said.

Nelson described Minto’s next bout as being “a crossroads fight,” whether it be a title eliminator, a 10-rounder against a top-10 ranked opponent, or a fight against a strong up-and-comer figuring to use Minto as a stepping stone.

“The younger fighters view Brian as a fighter who has reached his peak and is on his way down,” Nelson said. “We would have no problem taking a fight like that.

“Brian needs that sort of eye-opening win to gain his goal of fighting for a world championship again.”