Getting a title shot has been little more than talk for Butler heavyweight boxer Brian Minto over the past couple of years.

Only now a plan appears to be in place.

Minto (29-2, 18 KOs), 33, will defend his WBAFedecentro title against Chad Van Sickle (22-7-2, 12 KOs) as a co-feature on the April 27 fight card at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, W.Va.

He is also scheduled to take on John Poore (20-2, 18 KOs)at Mountaineer as part of ESPN2's "Wednesday Night Fights" July 2.

"Van Sickle is a much better fighter than these last two guys Brian faced," said Pat Nelson, Minto's manager. "He'll show him a few more things and Brian's going to have to respond to a few more things.

"A loss here could derail our plans for July 2. I would certainly understand that."

Since losing a unanimous decision to world contender Luan Krasniqi in Germany, Minto has scored first-round knockouts over Ray Lunsford and Byron Polley at Mountaineer.

Minto sees little reason to worry about an upset loss to Van Sickle.

"This is my livelihood. It's how I provide,"Minto said. "I can't lose. I can't afford to."

Should Minto win these next two fights, Nelson anticipates him getting a title shot before the end of the year.

"Brian has all the tools right now," Nelson said. "He has a personal trainer and he's better conditioned now. He's bobbing and weaving a lot more.

"He's as good as he's ever been and he may be as good right now as he's ever going to be, so we want to strike as soon as possible."

Van Sickle's last fight was a six-round split decision over Carlton Johnson (15-14) on Dec. 30 at Mountaineer. He lost four consecutive fights before that, most recently split decisions to Chris Koval (23-3) and Chauncey Welliver (30-4-4).

Van Sickle, 30, was knocked out in the fourth and second rounds by unbeatens Jean-Francois Bergeron (25-0) and Alexander Dimitrenko (21-0), respectively.

"I was mismanaged back then,"Van Sickle said. "Now I'm self-managed with an adviser.

"I had two weeks to get ready for those fights. I've got more than six weeks to get ready for this one. ... It will be a different fight."

Nelson said Van Sickle plans to have veteran heavyweight Tony Tubbs, who handed Minto his first loss in a controversial split decision three years ago, in his corner at this fight.

"I can't disclose that,"Van Sickle said. "But that would be something, wouldn't it?"

Minto shrugged off the idea.

"That's a mental stab, that's all it is,"he said. "Tubbs can't go in the ring and fight for him.

"I'm so much stronger and faster now than I was then. My punching power has quadrupled since. It takes two to tango. Coming off the break if I let the guy clench and hug, it's my fault."

Minto said he doesn't believe he's reached his peak as a fighter.

"There's always room for improvement,"he said. "I don't think I'm as good as I'm going to get. Technique-wise, though, I feel like I'm right there."

Should Minto get past Van Sickle, he may find Poore's record a bit misleading. Poore, 37, of Upper Darby has defeated only six opponents with winning records and never has defeated anyone with more than 13 career wins (Franklin Edmondson 13-26-1).

Poore's last fight, a unanimous decision over Dan Whetzel (9-11-1) in November, marked the first time he's gone eight rounds.

Notes:The April 27 fight card begins at 2 p.m. ... Tickets are $100, $60, $40 and $20 and are available at Institute Hill Pharmacy in Butler. ... Dave Cook (1-0) of Butler, who recently won his pro debut at the Days Inn, has an undercard bout against Mike Melbar (2-1) of Cleveland on the April 27 card. ... Minto's knockout of Vinny Maddalone a few years ago is a candidate for ESPN's Friday Night Fights Knockout of the Decade. Fans can vote by visiting espn.com and clicking on boxing.