Brian Minto in heavyweight clash tonight

You have to go back to November 6, 1981 to find a more meaningful heavyweight championship fight in Western Pennsylvania.

That was when then former WBC champion Larry Holmes scored an 11th round TKO victory over Renaldo Snipes to defend his WBC title at Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena.

Tonight Brian “The Beast” Minto (33-2, WBO No. 8/WBC No. 15 contender) will put his WBA Fedecentro heavyweight title on the line when he takes on another Donnell Holmes, better known as the “The Real Touch of Sleep” (31-0, WBC No. 13 contender) for the WBO/NABO regional title at Pullman Park in Butler, Pa.

It’s the main attraction of a card that Minto’s manager Pat Nelson said will feature several up and coming prospects.

Nelson, who has guided Minto since his first professional bout in 2002, notes that a win by his fighter should place him on a “short list” of challengers for the division title.

“I have been privileged to witness first hand the development of Brian as a world-class heavyweight and as an exceptional family man,” said Nelson.

“He’s not only in the most lucrative and historic division in the sport, but if victorious this Friday then he should find himself on a short list to challenge either WBO champ Vladimir Klitchko, or his brother, WBC champ Vitali Klitchko.”

Minto’s will tonight for the first time with elite trainer Freddie Roach, who also trains Manny Pacquiao and junior welterweight titleholder Amir Khan.

The 2008 Trainer of the Year, Roach has also worked with Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins and James Toney.

“After a productive training camp with Freddie and receiving great sparring the past six weeks at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood, I feel fully prepared,” Minto said.

Minto, who has won six straight fights and 15 of his last 16 bouts, has notable wins over IBF world title challenger Axel Schulz and tough veterans such as Vinnie Maddalone, Billy Zumbrun and Danny Batchelder.

The hard-hitting Holmes is a native of Ivanhoe, N.C., and a former WBC Continental America’s heavyweight champ, who comes into the fight with a 31-0-2 mark and

He was formerly promoted by Don King and has claimed 27 victims by knockout.

The show marks Minto’s second appearance at Pullman Park. It’s also the seventh time that he will be fighting in his hometown.

In July 2008 Minto scored a first-round KO over John Poore to capture the Pennsylvania heavyweight title in the main event of ESPN2’s “Wednesday Night Fights.

Promoted by Beatdown Promotions, the venue expects to attract nearly 5,000 fans and will be televised live on Armstrong Cable, Channel 20 beginning at 7:30 p.m.

It will also be telecast live at www.MintoFight.com and may be purchased for $9.

The six-bout card, beginning at 8 p.m., will also feature Youngstown welterweight Tommy Joseph (4-2-1) as he battles Gabe Morris (1-2-1) of Toledo, while Cleveland heavyweight Brian Cook (2-2) will tangle with Brandon Winner (2-6) of Youngstown.

Also, heavyweight prospect Paul “Zeus” Zalus (1-0) of Butler will collide with Justin Novaria of Zanesville, while middleweight Russ Niggemyer (1-0) of Columbus faces Billy “The Kid” Hampton of Zanesville.

And New Castle welterweight Clifford Gregory (0-5-3) will fight Shane Gierke (4-18-2) of Kent.

Tickets are $25 to $50.