WESTON, Fla. — Whether he’s throwing passes or throwing punches, Matt Hicks loves the big stage.

The 36-year-old Tennessee native may be the biggest Brian Minto fan in the house when he steps into the ring to face the Butler heavyweight boxer in a six-round bout Saturday night at The Harv in Chester, W.Va.

“I’ve followed his career and Brian Minto is one of my favorite fighters,” Hicks said. “I’ve followed his career.

“He’s one of the smaller heavyweights and he has a lot of heart — more heart than I’ve seen in the ring in a long time. I’m looking forward to meeting him as much as getting in the ring with him.

“We fight the same style. We both come forward, punch hard and don’t mind getting hit. This should be something to watch,” Hicks added.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Hicks is used to competition. He was a quarterback at the University of Missouri, throwing for 2,600 yards and 17 touchdowns his senior season. He received tryouts with the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs before settling into an Arena League career with Louisville for a few years.

“I wasn’t good enough to play in the NFL. I readily admit that,” Hicks said. “The game is so fast at that level. You have to throw before receivers make their break ... I just couldn’t catch up with it.”

Hicks is now a senior representative with a vacation village in Weston, Fla., just outside of Miami. He is married and has a 14-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son.

And he fights because he likes it.

“It’s a blast. I’ll keep doing it as long as people will pay to watch me,” Hicks said. “I love the bright lights, whether it’s football or boxing.

“I make plenty of money with my job. My family’s not going to starve if I don’t fight. My wife is supportive of my boxing career.”

She’s actually the one who got it started.

Hicks said when he’s not competing or working out, he gains weight quickly. He admitted to ballooning from 235 to 285 pounds in nine months after retiring from football.

His wife, Susan, had a childhood friend, Omar Clemons, who became a professional cruiserweight boxer. She encouraged Hicks to work out with Clemons.

“My wife wanted me to get back into shape,” Hicks said. “On the inside, I was happy with who I am. On the outside, I said ‘yes, dear’ and went to work. My wife is the boss of our household.

“I got to sparring a few rounds, seemed to have a knack for the sport and decided to go for it.”

Hicks (13-6, 12 KO’s) has lost his last four fights. Only one of his 19 pro bouts has gone beyond three rounds, win or lose.

“But I’ve never been hurt in the ring,” Hicks pointed out. “I’ve been fortunate in my career that way.

“I’m embarrassed to say it, but it’s a fact ... When you’re fat and out of shape and get hit hard, you’re dropping to a knee. I’ve run out of gas in fights, that’s all.”

He insists he’s been training hard for the Minto fight and plans on lasting much longer than usual.

“I’m not saying Brian’s not capable of hurting me, because he’s very capable. But I can go harder, longer now. I don’t plan on giving up,” Hicks said.

Minto’s manager, Pat Nelson, likens Hicks to a Matt Greer, a heavyweight who went the distance against Minto during a 10-round bout a few years ago at the Butler Days Inn. Greer’s face was a blackened and bloodied mess after that fight.

“This guy is cut from that same mold,” Nelson said. “Hes stepping in there to earn his money. This is a good comeback fight for Brian.”

Tickets for the fight card are $25, $35, $50 and $100. VIP seating (including food) costs $150 and $200. Tickets are available by contacting Minto at 724-504-0031.

“Just because two people step into the ring together doesn’t mean they dislike each other,” Hicks said. “We’ll fight hard, shake hands afterward and one of us will buy the other dinner.

“I don’t hate anybody in this world. This is just a challenge I’m looking forward to.”