Brian Minto [41-10-0]
Known for giving it his all against much larger opponents and often at short notice, Pennsylvania's Brian Minto has won new fans on his travels in the UK and New Zealand. In addition to picking up regional titles at heavyweight and cruiserweight, Brian has put in valiant performances against the likes of Chris Arreola and Artur Szpilka at heavyweight over the years, while he also went as far as to contest a world title at cruiserweight against Marco Huck. More recently, he has arguably had a rough deal at UK's Prizefighter and New Zealand's Super 8, while he has also been in some "crossroads fights" with Joseph Parker and Dillian Whyte. Brian recently took the time to talk to BoxingQnA.
How did you get into boxing?
I first got into boxing in 1990. The neighborhood kids were boxing and just took me to the gym one day. I was a big Rocky fan, so it didn't take much convincing.
Wherever you have ventured outside of the U.S., you've won new fans with your crowd-pleasing style and people know what to expect from a fight that features Brian Minto. Have you always prided yourself on bringing the fight to your opponent and putting on a good show?
For sure. I have always have aimed to fight with a crowd pleasing style. I've always been the smaller heavyweight in my bouts and I think fans respect me for getting in there with fighters much bigger, especially when they see me giving it a real go.
You recently signed with Australia based Xcite Promotions. In terms of the next chapter in your career, what's the general goal at this juncture?
Signing with Xcite Promotons was with trying to get a big cruiserweight fight with Danny Green and more fights in the UK in mind. Back In the U.S.A, I had a manager who was nothing but a thief! His contract said 10% of the top of purses, but it was more like 30% in reality, so I have since been more successful fighting on my own in other countries. This is a very bad business where we have no name matchmakers cutting 10-30%, maybe even more of a fighter's purses. I think this needs to be regulated more in addition to the Ali act.
Given that you are looking to campaign primarily at cruiserweight now, would you say that having been in with a bunch of big-punching heavyweights over the years that it gives you an advantage in the sense that it's unlikely that you will be phased by the power of any cruiserweights you'll be getting in with from here-on?
Yes, it sure does give me confidence fighting at cruiser!
At this point, you have seen and experienced almost all of the spectrums within the sport. You have been a young up-and-coming fighter, you have been a champion having won some titles over the years, and you have also been "the opponent" coming in at short notice. Are you still hungry to succeed?
I'm still a hungry fighter who has some left in the tank yet. My determination is what keeps me going and I'd love a cruiserweight fight with a great notice date. I believe I can give anyone in the division trouble if I have the time to prepare.
Speaking of coming it at short notice. What do you try to cram into the narrow time period leading up
to the fight?
Short notice is tough, but I'm just always in the gym. It's something I've been used to throughout my career.
The Dillian Whyte fight was at short notice and I actually turned down the first offer, but even so, let's face it, Dillian was an uphill battle for me. He's a super heavyweight! Some of the heavyweights I'm okay with but him (laughs), I wasn't.
In addition to Dillian Whyte recently, you have also been in there with Joseph Parker. How far could they potentially go?
Either fighter has potential to be world champion, but time will tell. Dillian is definitely a hard puncher, while Joe is probably the fastest big heavyweight out there. I'd say Dillian has his work cut out for him in December, however, as Anthony Joshua is a freak of nature! It's a big fight or Dillian to see if he can keep climbing up. Parker eventually will have to take that kind of risk and fight an AJ type guy to prove himself further.
You have participated in both Prizefighter and a Super 8 tournament. Aside from the fact that you were arguably screwed over both times, do you feel that tournaments of such formats are a good thing for the sport and should there perhaps be more of them?
Yes, they are good platforms, but as long as the scoring is right. Did you see the super 8 final in New Zealand? That was a bad call! I know the extension round was not good for me, but there shouldn't have been another round. I believe I clearly won two out of the three rounds prior.
You've been wanting to fight Danny Green, but he now has Konni Konrad lined up next and apparently is aiming for a rematch with Anthony Mundine after that, despite the fact Mundine competes at 154 nowadays. How like do you a see a meeting with Danny Green being at this point?
I actually like Danny and have asked him a few times for a bout, but I'm not sure if he's really interested in a fight with me. I'd love to see it happen, but it's probably wishful thinking.
You've been quoted recently as saying that you think there ought to be a super-heavyweight division?
I'd love that if there was a super heavyweight division. Any time I've fought heavyweights in the 210-220 lbs weight region I've done good against them, but the giants are so tough to compete with.
Do you have any boxing-related regrets?
The only regret I have in boxing was signing with Pat Nelson. He was a bad man who double dipped of all his fighters.
Final words?
In closing, I'd love to thank the fans for their support. And always believe!