Minto

BUTLER TWP— While Brian Minto remains unsure of his opponent, Paul Zalus can't wait to meet his.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Zalus will make his professional debut April 17 as the cofeature on the Minto fight card at the Butler Days Inn.

Posting a 30-11 record as an amateur, Zalus, 28, of West Deer, is a three-time Pittsburgh Golden Gloves heavyweight champion, last winning the title in 2008.

"I knocked a guy out of the ring in that tournament," Zalus recalled. I've been waiting a long time for this."

Zalus will make his pro debut against 6-4, 240-pound Damon Clement (0-1) of Dayton, Ohio, in a four-round heavyweight bout.

"I've worked in Butler for two years and my dad lives in the Saxonburg area,"Zalus said. "This is like fighting at home for me."

Zalus earned all-state honors in volleyball at Deer Lakes High School and was all-conference in football and basketball. He carries a 210 average in bowling and will compete in the U.S. National Bowling Championships this May in Las Vegas.

The father of four children, Zalus said he would have turned pro years ago, but his focused changed when he became a parent.

"I was a state novice champion when I had only six amateur fights, then nobody wanted to fight me," he said. "I need money and I need fights. Turning pro is the way to go.

Minto (32-2, 21 KOs) expects to know his opponent by the end of the week. Manager Pat Nelson is negotiating with three possible foes:Lou Savarese (46-7, 38 knockouts), Francois Botha (46-7, 28 KOs) and Hasim Rahman (45-7, 36 KOs).

Rahman, 36, is a former WBCworld champion. He lost by seventh-round TKOto WBOchampion Wladimir Klitschko Dec. 13.

Savarese, 43, hasn't fought since June 20, 2007, when he dropped a 10-round decision to Evander Holyfield.

"I thought he retired once or twice,"Minto said. "He's a little old, but the experience would definitely be a step up for me."

Savarese lost a 12-round split decision to George Foreman in 1997 and has fought Mike Tyson. He knocked down former world champion James "Buster"Douglas three times in the first round before winning by first-round TKOand has scored a five-round TKOover Tim Witherspoon.

Botha, 40, won a 12-round unanimous decision over Ron Guerrero for the vacant WBFheavyweight title Feb. 6 in South Africa.

"We want a big name guy for this fight. This is no time to take a step backward," Nelson said.

When negotiations with opponent David Haye stalled, Klitschko called Minto about a possible world title fight recently and sent him plane tickets to come to Germany to discuss the possibility.

The Klitschko-Haye dispute has since been resolved, however.

"(Klitschko) had interest in me,"Minto said. "I guess I'm getting close."

Tickets for the April 17 fight card, which will include amateur fights, are available at the Butler Days Inn. Tickets are $35 for general admission, $750 for ringside tables. Call 724-287-6761.

For free delivery for VIPringside seating, call 724-321-3688.