BUTLER TWP— Jim Emrick isn't the Little Engine That Could.

He's more like the Old Man Who Can.

The Butler heavyweight boxer turns 38 this week and didn't begin his pro career until August 2007.

Emrick has since fought eight times in 11 months, compiled a 6-1-1 record and will be the co-feature on a fight card featuring world-ranked lightweight Verquan Kimbrough Sept. 25 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack &Resort in Chester, W.Va.

And he's not really old. He's just old in terms of boxing.

"Because of his late start, the only thing against him is time, really,"trainer Tom Yankello said. "How far can Jimmy develop his craft in the next couple of years?

"He's got the heart, he has the toughness, the discipline and desire — he has everything else he needs."

Emrick is facing Dan Whetzel (9-13-2) of Toledo, Ohio, in an eight-round bout Sept. 25. This will be Whetzel's first fight since he and Emrick battled to a six-round draw Feb. 29 at the Butler Days Inn.

Emrick has fought three times since then, going the distance in four-round decisions over Ryan St. Germain, Anthony Gatt and Jonathan Felton. Gatt was 6-0-1 at the time of that fight.

Emrick won by unanimous decision over Felton last weekend in Morgantown, W.Va. Felton received a standing-eight count in the first round.

"I think I'm gonna beat him this time,"Emrick said of Whetzel. "My skill level is better and I know I'm stronger."

Whetzel went the distance in an eight-round loss to John Poore (20-3), who was knocked out by Brian Minto in July at Pullman Park, and went the full eight rounds against undefeated Travis Kauffman.

Emrick's only pro loss came against Darryl Spears last November. He had injured ribs, suffered while sparring, when he and Whetzel battled to a draw.

"After I got beat (by Spears), I woke up,"Emrick said. "I changed my diet. I don't drink beer anymore. I work out every day."

Emrick weighed 233 pounds during his first pro fight a year ago. He weighs 209 pounds now and might switch to the cruiserweight division soon.

"I don't see myself fighting beyond the age of 40,"Emrick said. "That gives me two years to see what I can put together. The cruiserweight division is probably better suited for me."

Emrick has signed to box on the Minto fight card Nov. 1 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House. Should he win these next two fights, Emrick will get a chance to fight for the West Virginia heavyweight or cruiserweight title on a Dec. 30 card at Mountaineer.

"Jim would be better off in cruiserweights,"Yankello said. "He has the hand speed to handle those guys and he wouldn't be giving up the size or weight anymore.

"How much this guy has improved in the past year ... I can't even describe it."

Yankello won't write off Emrick becoming a top-20 ranked cruiserweight before his ring career is finished.

"That would be an amazing accomplishment, but it's possible for him,"he said. "Look how far he's come already."

Emrick is ranked No. 311 out of 1,103 pro heavyweights worldwide by boxrec.com.

Tickets for the Sept. 25 fight card at Mountaineer are available by calling Emrick at 724-496-4158.