For two years now, Butler heavyweight boxer Brian Minto has been waiting to step into the big time.

Axel Schulz just opened the door.

Schulz, 33, of Germany is coming out of a seven-year retirement to fight Minto in a 10-round main event Nov. 25 in Halle, Germany.

"He retired in 1999 and I didn't turn pro until 2002," Minto said. "He can't know too much about me.

"All I know is he wanted to fight somebody ranked in the top 50 for his first comeback fight."

Schulz (26-4, 11 KOs)retired after he lost to Wladimir Klitschko by technical knockout in the eighth round of their WBAheavyweight championship fight Sept. 25, 1999. It marked the only time in Schulz's career that he was defeated by TKOor knockout.

Every loss of Schulz's career has been with a title on the line. He lost a split decision to Michael Moorer for the IBF crown in 1996, a majority decision to George Foreman for that same title in 1995 and lost a unanimous decision to then-undefeated Henry Akinwande for the vacant European heavyweight title in 1993.

Francois Botha won a narrow decision over Schulz for the IBFtitle in December 1995, but that match was later declared a no-contest after Botha, 35-0, tested positive for steroids.

"Schulz has the reputation of a big guy who will stand in front of you,"said Tom Yankello, Minto's trainer. "But he's more of a boxer, a counter-puncher, than a slugger.

"We have to expect the same fighter we've been watching on film from seven years ago. Schulz is going to be a rejuvenated, refreshed fighter, and that may make up for any rust from inactivity."

Schulz stood 6-feet-3 and weighed 219 pounds when he fought Klitschko. He's been training for this comeback fight for eight months.

"That's a long time to be training in the gym,"Minto said. "I could see myself burning out if I tried that. But it also shows how serious he is about this fight."

Judges for the bout will be determined by negotiations through the promoters. Minto said he's not concerned about whether he gets a fair shake in a decision overseas.

"Botha won a close decision over Schulz at this same venue,"Minto said. "They (judges) are pretty fair over there."

Minto's last fight was Aug. 11, when he stopped Andy Sample 37 seconds into the opening round at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, W.Va.

Minto has won his last eight fights since suffering his only loss, a 10-round split decision to Tony Tubbs.

Like Schulz, Tubbs was making a comeback that night. Like Schulz, Tubbs is a cagey, intelligent boxer.

"I think Schulz will be looking to make a bigger splash, fighting in his own backyard,"Minto said. "Besides, I'm a different fighter now than I was then (when he lost a slow-paced fight to Tubbs). That strategy wouldn't work this time.

"I can use this time off now. Boxing is pretty hard on your body. You need a break every now and then, and I've been pretty busy."

Minto plans to leave for Germany a week before the fight. Yankello, a cut man and manager, will accompany him.

"Brian needs a good, hard training period for this,"Yankello said. "We'll be able to handle what Schulz throws at us. Brian has what it takes to beat him.

"A win over there could do wonders for Brian overseas. The top three or four heavyweights from the Ukraine fight in Germany all the time. This could lead to a title shot for him, possibly against Nikolay Valuev."

Valuev (44-0, 32 KOs) holds the WBAtitle and is the No. 2 ranked heavyweight in the world.