After a four-month layoff, Brian Minto is climbing back in the ring.

The unbeaten Butler pro heavyweight boxer, 18-0 with 11 knockouts, will be in the main event of the 20th annual Erie Boxing Classic Nov. 24 at the Avalon Hotel.

It will be Minto's first fight since he signed a two-year contract with Duva Boxing two weeks ago.

The Erie Boxing Classic is put together annually by veteran boxing promoter Mike Acri and is always held the night before Thanksgiving. One of Acri's fighters, light welterweight Lou Bizzarro (24-3), originally was scheduled to headline the card.

"Lou injured his hand while sparring last week and won't be ready," Acri said. "I had no other fighter available and I've known the Duva family for a long time, so I gave them a call.

"They suggested Brian right away. He's a quality fighter and he's not from far away, so he can bring a crowd. We decided to go with it," he added.

Minto will be involved in a scheduled eight- or 10-round bout, depending upon the opponent. His likely opponent is Tipton Walker (13-10, 6 KOs) of Benton Harbor, Mich.

Walker weighs 210 pounds and has been fighting as a cruiserweight.

"That's who we want. If that doesn't work, we have a couple of other possible opponents," Acri said.

"He's a conventional fighter who's pretty durable," Minto said. "Besides that, I don't know much about him."

Minto hasn't fought since knocking out Vinnie Maddalone (21-2) in the 10th round July 23 in Atlantic City, N.J. That marked Minto's 18th pro fight in 20 months.

"I'm looking forward to fighting again, but the layoff hasn't seemed that long," Minto said. "My hands needed a break. They were sore and pretty beaten up.

"Right now, I feel great physically. My hands feel good and I've been steadily training. I'm ready to go."

Minto weighed 208 pounds when he fought Maddalone. He weighs 220 now.

"I've been working with a personal strength and conditioning coach," Minto said. "It (weight gain) is all muscle mass."

"(Minto) feels really comfortable with us," Dino Duva said. "We've been working on refining his skills and he picks up on things well.

"Starting in January, we're looking to keep Brian busy in the ring and get him on TV as much as possible. We want to get his name out there," he added.

Minto's fight will headline a six-bout card that begins at 8 p.m. Tickets will be $20 for general admission and $30 for ringside.