LOS ANGELES — Not even a volcano can stop Butler boxer Brian Minto from heading for Germany this Sunday.

Minto, 35, (34-3, 21 knockouts) is taking on 25-year-old Marco Huck (28-1, 21 KOs) for Huck's WBO cruiserweight championship May 1 at EWE Arena in Oldenburg, Germany.

"There is a concern whether we can fly straight in because of that volcano," said Minto, who has been training with Freddie Roach in Hollywood the past five weeks. "We may fly into Italy and go the rest of the way by train.

"Either way, I'll be there. I'm more prepared for this fight than anyone can imagine."

Minto will arrive in Germany a week before the fight. On his last trip there, which resulted in a loss by decision to Luan Krasniqi in March of 2007, Minto arrived two weeks early.

"That was way too much time," he said. "There's a nine-hour time difference you need to adjust to, but I can do that in a week.

"Once you land, you're ready to fight. I'll be kept busy for that week leading up to the fight."

Minto will take part in a news conference the day he arrives in Germany. The weigh-in for the bout is expected to attract 4,000 fans.

Nelson said part of the contract to fight Huck included a few appearances to promote the event, including open workouts.

"There will be plenty of media attention the entire time," he said. "Boxing and soccer — that's all they have over there."

The ARD Network has the German rights to the fight and will broadcast the fight on free TV. The bout will not be televised locally.

There is no pay-per-view television in Germany.

Minto's weight is down to 203 pounds. He drops to 198 after a full day's workout. The cruiserweight limit is 200 pounds.

"I've had to eat to replenish weight after my sparring," Minto said. "I've been going at it hard and I'm in the best condition of my life."

Minto sparred 10 rounds Friday and another eight rounds Monday. He plans to do two more eight-round sparring sessions this week before leaving for Germany.

One of his sparring partners, Ola Afolabi, lost a unanimous decision to Huck Dec. 5.

"I've learned a lot about (Huck) from working with Ola," Minto said. "He's not a counterpuncher. He plays it safe, using a long jab and long right hand. He's a bigger guy than me, about 6-foot-2.

"He and his corner are in for a shock when they see what they're getting," the Butler native added. "He expects me to be a sitting duck, to stand right in front of him. I'm not fighting that way anymore. I'm doing a lot more boxing, staying on my toes, moving around the ring a lot more."

Minto has been working with Roach and Jose Benavidez Sr. in California. Benavidez will accompany him to Germany and work his corner during the fight.

Benavidez's son, Jose Jr., is 4-0 as 17-year-old pro light welterweight. He won the national Golden Gloves championship last year.

"Jose has a distinguished history as a trainer and we've developed a good rapport with each other these past few weeks," Minto said.

While still believing he needs a knockout to win the title, Minto plans to execute a disciplined fight.

"I can't afford any dumb mistakes," he said. "Just keep putting rounds in the bank. ... It's like a batter in baseball. If he's not looking to hit a home run, the home run comes."

Pat Nelson, Minto's manager, has a second fighter, Tommy Karpency (19-1-1) of Adah, Pa., taking on unbeaten Karo Murat (21-0) for the WBO Intercontinental lightweight title, on the undercard of the Minto-Huck fight.

Nelson hasn't gone to California during Minto's training sessions.

"But we've talked every day," Nelson said. "At 35, Brian knows his hourglass is shrinking. He's in shape and he's confident."