19.02.04 – By Keith Terceira: Butler, Pa. native Brian “The Butler Beast” Minto is slowly but surely climbing the ranks of the heavyweight division. Wednesday evening at the Mountaineer in Chester, West Virginia Minto takes on veteran Lenzie Morgan. On the thirteenth of this month Willis Lockett fell victim to the “Beast” losing a six rounder that had looked more like a track meet than a boxing match, with Lockett doing the run and grab instead of the punch and move. In January, 10-1 Jed Phipps lasted until the second round but couldn’t handle the power that Minto is beginning to build with a new training program. I had the pleasure of talking to one of boxings real class acts yesterday and Minto discussed his career.
“Morgan should give me a challenge, he lost to McBride but he did do well in the ESPN bout with the Split decision loss to Courage. He is a veteran who will test me and help me grow as a fighter.” Minto commented as we started our chat.
KT; Did you Box in the Amateur Ranks, Brian?
Minto; Yes, I had an amateur background, I began at 13 and then went to football in high school. I got a scholarship to play in college, and got out of boxing. I had say 15-16 amateur bouts, then went to open and had 8 fights. I won the Golden Gloves in in 2000 and lost in the regional in 1997. I lost to Gavin but he is not doing to well in the Pro’s.
KT; Can you tell us what your schedule has been like recently?
Minto: I have recently been sparring with Calvin Brock, which gives me some of the best sparring in the heavyweight division. I think Calvin is fighting on NBC coming up in May. I tell you really learned a lot in camp and it should show Wednesday at the Mountaineer. We really get a big crowd there and a lot of my fans come from PA to watch. Thacker versus Bailey should be a good fight as well.
KT; You are getting at the stage of your career where people start whispering in your ear with offers. Have you had anyone approach you with offers?
Minto; I have been getting a lot of that lately and everybody is starting to approach me, but I am not jumping into anything. I’m married with two kids so I need to look out for my family and not rush things. I’m a construction worker and carry block in the summer as a union laborer with Local 323 out of Butler , though I am laid off right now. My wife is even coming around now though (laugh) as she has seen me training hard and taking things serious.
KT; What is your fight prep like Brian?
Minto; When I get a fight, I really watch the tapes to find the openings and weaknesses of my opponents. When I fought Jed Phipps, I noticed on the tapes that he had no heart or chin even though he was 10-0 at the time. That’s why I took that fight. I make sure I don’t get overmatched at this stage of my career. I have enough time to learn slowly and get ready for the big money fights in time.
KT; I noticed that you went from 230 to 205 in your last fight, what is with the weight loss? Are you moving down in weight?
Minto; I lost some bad weight with this new program and training I’m on. I can really notice the difference. I went on this diet and lost the bad weight now I am working on building back muscle. I’m running three miles in 19 minutes, doing interval training, lifting a few days a week. The protein supplements I’m on have helped me greatly and being fast with the extra muscle is nice. My goal is to get to 215 and be in great conditioning. I thought I was in good shape before but now I am shocked at myself. Carrying all that block really tore done my muscles.
KT; Who down the line would you like to get in the ring with?
Minto; Well I was offered a fight with Malcolm Tann but that fell through. He already lost though. I am going to take things slow but I have fought some big boys Joe Leinhart is 310 and Paul Paczynski was 265 and he knocked me down but I got up and beat him. So the size of the guy doesn’t bother me. So I am going to be patient and someday I might get a call that Tyson wants a fight or someone of his caliber. This is what motivates my is that I don’t want to go back to carrying block, I want to make enough to put away for my kids to go to college, do this for five good years.
KT; Thanks, Brian for the time today!
Minto; Thanks, Keith
Also on the card with Brian is Youngtown Heavy Chris Koval who is 13-1, 11 KO’s versus Kevin Tallon in a four rounder. Some good action going on in West Virginia.