Minto finale could go distance
Match-maker Chuck Bayley is looking to put four other professional fights on the Brian Minto card Sept. 17 at Kelly Automotive Park.
But Bayley insists the Minto-Gyula Bozai bout — the 10-round cruiserweight battle billed as Minto’s retirement fight — is more than worthy as the main event.
“I don’t know what either guy would tell you, but I fully expect that fight to go the distance,” Bayley said. “Bozai has only been stopped once in his entire career.
“When I contacted him and offered this fight, he didn’t hesitate to take it. He sees it as an opportunity.”
The Minto fight will be Bozai’s first pro bout in the United States.
“The guy is fired up to come here,” Bayley said. “He’s 42, but he got a late start in pro boxing. I don’t know why that is and I know he hasn’t had an amateur career, but he’s much more preserved than Brian.
“He hasn’t been through the wars that Minto has. That could weigh in his favor.”
Bayley, a self-employed match-maker out of Youngstown, says he has boxing contacts worldwide and that “there are a number of good cruiserweights in Hungary.”
“I knew I could find a good opponent there,” Bayley said.
Bozai is 15-8-4 with 11 KO’s. Minto, 41, is 41-11, has 26 KO’s — and is fully aware of what he’s up against.
“I could have taken the easy way out, but I’m not,” Minto said. “I know I’m in for a challenge. This guy went the distance with Firat Arslan (34-8-2), who in my opinion beat (world cruiserweight champion Marco) Huck.
“He’s coming here to win. Believe me, I realize that.”
Bayley hopes to put four other pro bouts on the card and five amateur fights will join those.
“I figure on getting a number of (pro) fighters from Ohio and Pennsylvania,” he said. “I have to sell the five pro fights on the (Pa. boxing) commission. That’s the tough part. But I want to give the fans their money’s worth.
“There may be future fight cards coming there and I want to have the fans leave there wanting more.”
The fight card is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Tickets are available today and Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Kelly Automotive Park or by visiting BrianMintoTheEnd@gmail.com.
Former NFL player and unbeaten heavyweight Ray Edwards was on the original card in Butler, but he has since accepted an Aug. 26 bout in Minnesota.
“If he comes out of that OK, there’s still a good chance we can get him for our show,” Bayley said.
Bayley expects the majority of the pro-am fight card to be released within the next few days.
