Minto Prepared for Arreola Showdown!
Two Meet at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday...

December 1, 2009
Report: Brady Crytzer
Photos: Ed Mulholland/FightWireImages.com

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Brian "The Beast" Minto has spent the last six weeks preparing for the biggest fight of his career. On Saturday, December 5th the WBO #5 and WBA #14 ranked Minto (34-2, 21 KOs) squares off with recent world title challenger Chris "The Nightmare" Arreola at the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. A consummate gym rat, Minto had spent the last two months preparing for a fight against an opponent to be determined that did not materialize, so he was ready and willing when he received the call to fight Arreola.

"This all stemmed from Kelly Pavlik's injuries," Minto explained. "Because he wasn't ready, the promoters were faced with scratching the co-feature. (Bob) Arum pulled some of his guys out and they saw that as an opportunity to give Chris a chance to come back. I was in the running as an opponent with a few other guys and we got the call."

Considered the next great American challenger in the heavyweight division, Arreola came up short in his world title bid against WBC titlist Vitali Klitschko in September. For Minto, hearing a discussion of prominent US based brawlers, himself not included, was the spark that lit the fire that he hopes keep burning all the way to Boardwalk Hall. He feels matches up well against the media darling Arreola, and as seen in the past, he's not afraid to use them.

"I think I'm quicker," Minto said. "I think my footwork is better. Don't get me wrong, Arreola is a world class fighter and he is deceptively fast. He is a big, strong kid and we share a lot of the same attributes. This is going to be a great fight."

Though he is undersized, Minto prides himself on never being outworked and rarely being out of position. Although he made headlines in August by training in Freddie Roach's world famous Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, CA, Minto is returning to his roots in Western Pennsylvania to train for the biggest fight of his career. Alongside long time trainer Tommy Yankello, Minto feels better than ever.

"Tommy has spent the last two and a half weeks with me," Minto said. "I feel really comfortable with him and that's important for a fight like this. We have a good repoire with one another and he is a good trainer. We are working on developing a style that's going to be effective for me. I've been in the gym for at least five weeks so I am in good condition for this fight."

After fighting tough journeyman in his hometown for over a year devoid of network television exposure, the business-savvy, self-promoted Minto is well aware of what's at stake against "The Nightmare."

"This fight is going to be ten rounds," Minto said. "It won't be for my NABO heavyweight belt. This gives me a chance to win a big fight with the world watching. Nothing negative can come out of beating Arreola."

"I want to become a regular on HBO," Minto said. "A win here puts me in line for a title shot. I'm ranked fifth by the WBO and, to be honest, I think the champs would rather take a mandatory challenge and fight me. I think they see me as the easiest fight."

Following a controversial decision victory over Donnell Holmes in August, Minto's professional career had been put on hold as Holmes' camp protested the decision claiming that no fight ending headbutt had ever occurred. With the appeal winding down, "The Beast" is relieved to get back to doing what he does best.

"The hearing was two weeks ago," Minto explained. "They are supposed to be rendering a decision in the next thirty days. I believe things will work out well for us, we were allowed to show video evidence that clearly caught the headbutt. Referee Rich Steigerwald testified as well so I don't see it being a problem for us."

Just a week after Thanksgiving, the determined Minto is not taking his eye off the prize...even if that means passing on the delicious treats of the holiday season.

"I eat clean 365 days a year," Minto joked. "I made it a lifestyle choice to eat only clean, healthy foods. I can still fill up on turkey and vegetables this year. That's the difference between being a professional fighter and being a normal person. You won't see me eating any pumpkin pie."