Butler heavyweight Minto wins after fight stopped

BUTLER, Pa. — A technical decision on Friday helped hometown hero Brian “The Beast” Minto defeat Donnell Holmes of Ivanhoe, N.C..

The decision came after the fourth round of the World Boxing Organization North American Boxing Organization heavyweight championship at Pullman Park Stadium.

In the fourth round of a scheduled 12-round fight, Minto suffered a cut eye from an accidental head butt. The cut forced referee Rick Steigerwald to stop the fight on Dr. Reggie Reginella’s recommendation.

The outcome then was determined by judges’ scorecards.

Two judges, Pittsburgh’s Alexis Pierce and Bob Bell, had Minto leading, 40-36, after four rounds while judge Tom Miller of Mineral Ridge favored Minto, 39-37.

Minto is the No. 8-ranked WBO contender managed by Pat Nelson and trained by Freddie Roach. He improved to a 34-2 record with 21 KOs.

Holmes, the No. 13 WBC contender known as “The Real Touch of Sleep,” fell to 31-1-2 with 27 KOs.

Nelson said he believes Minto’s win could be pivotal to his career.

“Minto took a big step tonight, securing the WBO NABO heavyweight title,” Nelson said. “With this big win, we hope to land a championship match with WBO heavyweight king Vladimar Klitchko of the Ukraine.”