Brian Minto hasn't fought in five months. Former World Boxing Association champion Tony Tubbs didn't fight for five years.

The two heavyweights will comprise the main event Dec. 30 when Butler's Minto defends his West Virginia title in a scheduled 10-round bout at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, W.Va.

Tubbs, 46, is, 48-10 with 25 knockouts in a 24-year pro career. He retired in 1997 before beginning a comeback in 2002. Tubbs had dropped two straight bouts before knocking out Brian Sargeant (16-13) in the first round of a bout earlier this year.

"I know he's a former champion, but his hand speed can't be what it once was," Minto said. "And there's no way he's going to take out a younger, hungry fighter like myself.

"He's a veteran and he knows how to hang around. But I doubt it'll go longer than five rounds," the Butler native said.

Veteran trainer Lou Duva, Tommy Brooks and Tom Yankello - the latter a former Minto trainer who recently came back on board - will all be in Minto's corner.

"I'm glad Tom's back," Minto said. "He trains me the same way (as Duva Boxing), so there's no problem there."

Tubbs won the WBA title in a 15-round decision over Greg Page in April 1985. He lost the crown to Tim Witherspoon in January of 1986.

Tubbs challenged Mike Tyson for the title in 1988, but was knocked out in the second round.

While Minto stands 6-feet and weighs 220 pounds, Tubbs of Cincinnati is 6-3, 250.

"He's a bigger guy - but I've fought bigger guys before," Minto said. "I'm sure he'll have a lot of tricks. This will be a good fight for me."

Minto hasn't fought since knocking out Vinnie Maddalone July 23 in Atlantic City, N.J., in a fight televised on ESPN2.

Minto was scheduled to fight in the main event at the annual Erie Classic Nov. 24, but the bout was canceled days before when a suitable opponent couldn't be found.

"Brian was disappointed, but we talked to him and explained that stuff happens in this business," Duva said. "Is he anxious to fight? He'd take on an opponent once a week if we let him."

Minto, 29, is 18-0 with 11 knockouts.

Duva said it's only a matter of time before plenty of top-flight opponents will want to fight Minto.

"He's at the stage right now where it's tough to find opponents," he said. "Sam Peter (20-0, 17 KO's) is one of my other heavyweights and he was in a similar position until he took out a name fighter.

"Now everyone wants to fight Sam. The same will happen for Brian very soon. He wants to become a world champion and he has the drive to get there."

Four of the other seven bouts on the Dec. 30 card are West Virginia title bouts. First bout is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $125 for golden ringside, $60 for ringside, $40 for reserved and $20 for general admission.

Tickets are available by calling Kirk at 740-317-9043.