Butler’s Minto fights tonight

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A heavyweight fight between recent title challenger Chris Arreola (27-1, 24 KO’s) of Los Angeles and WBO’s No. 5 ranked Brian Minto (34-2, 21 KO’s) of Butler, Pa., will be held tonight at Boardwalk Hall.

The bout will be televised on HBO as part of a World Championship Boxing doubleheader along with the Paul Williams–Sergio Martinez middleweight fight.

Minto, managed by Pat Nelson of Youngstown, is coming off seven straight victories and is the WBO North American heavyweight champion.

Most recently, he defeated Donnell Holmes (31-1) of Ivanhoe, N.C., by a four-round technical decision in August in Butler.

“Minto will be poised for a heavyweight title shot with a win [tonight],” Nelson said. “It’s an electric atmosphere here in Atlantic City and Brian is excited for this great opportunity.”

Minto’s biggest fights have come in Germany where he scored a TKO over former IBF title challenger Axel Schulz (27-4) in 2006 and lost a close decision to contender Luan Krasniqui (30-3) in 2007. Minto’s biggest fights stateside came in a pair of meetings with brawler Vinnie Maddalone. In 2004, he scored a 10th round KO while trailing on the scorecards in a slugfest. He also defeated Maddalone in a rematch the following year by 7th round KO on the Antonio Tarver–Roy Jones HBO PPV undercard.

Arreola returns to the ring for the first time since his only professional defeat in September. He was stopped after 10 rounds by WBC champ Vitali Klitschko (38-2) in a title shot.

Arreola’s biggest wins on HBO have come against former contender Jameel McCline (38-9) and prospects Chazz Witherspoon (27-1) and Travis Walker (28-1).

The heavyweight bout will be aired at 9:30 p.m. on HBO.