Heavyweight Minto fights for WBA regional crown
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN — Brian “The Beast” Minto will fight Byron Polley for the WBA regional heavyweight title in the main event of a Dec. 30 seven-bout card at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort in West Virginia.
The first bout will begin at 2 p.m.
“The seven-bout card features two title fights and an undercard laden with local talent hailing from Pittsburgh to Cleveland,”said Chuck Nelson, manager of several local boxers.
Minto, from Butler, Pa., is 28-2 with 17 KOs while Polley, 27-7-1 with 10 KOs, hails from St. Louis.
“[Byron] Polley is a tough game guy, not real technical but packs a good punch,” Minto said at Friday’s press conference at Anthony’s by the River. “He might be short in stature but he’ll be ready to fight.”
The battle for the vacant USBA lightweight crown, a 12-round affair, pits local USBA ranked lightweight Verquan “The Show” Kimbrough against Oisin “Gaelic Force” Fagan.
Kimbrough, from Aliquippa, Pa., is 18-1-1 with 7 KOs while Fagan, who hails from Dublin, Ireland but now calls Oklahoma City his home, is 20-4 with 12 KOs.
“I’ve been working out twice a day and feel like I am in the best shape, both mentally and physically, that I have ever been for a fight,” Kimbrough said. “My opponent is an excellent fighter who can really punch and hit you.”
The undercard will feature five fights including Butler’s Jim Emrick (2-1, 2 KOs), who will take on Corey Gregory (5-14, 3 KOs) of Cleveland in a four-round heavyweight battle.
Another heavyweight battle includes Chad Van Sickle (21-7-3, 12 KOs) of Columbus, who will meet Carlton Johnson (15-4-2, 10 KOs) of Pittsburgh. In a six-round tussle, Chris Stallworth (8-1, 3 KOs) of Pittsburgh will meet Dan Whetsel (9-12-1, 5 KOs) of Toledo.
Two four-round welterweight bouts are also on tap.
The first will feature Steve Perry (0-1) of Youngstown who will be fighting Khristian Geraci (0-2) of Pittsburgh, both of whom are looking for their first professional wins. The other welterweight bout pits Cliff Gregory (0-2) of Farrell, Pa., who will take on Eric Burke (14-6-1, 4 KOs) of Columbus.
Current WBC and WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik will conduct an autograph session beginning at noon.
“I’ve known Brian [Minto] for quite some time and he is an excellent fighter,” Pavlik said. “Verquan [Kimbrough] and I go back to our days in the amateurs, Silver Gloves and other national tournaments so to me, this is an excellent fight card.”
Tickets cost $100 for platinum, $60 for gold, $40 for a reserved seat and $25 for general admission.
Tickets are available through any Ticketmaster locations, on site at the Downtown Speakeasy Frequent Players Department or by calling 1-866-448-7849.