Boxing 
This Friday night at Pullman Park in Butler, PA, heavyweight contender Brian “The Beast” Minto 33-2 (21) has plans on devouring another foe in his climb to the top of the heavyweight ladder as he steps in against the undefeated Donnell Holmes 31-0 (27) in defense of Minto’s WBA Fedecentro title as well as battling for the vacant WBO NABO heavyweight strap.
Minto, a blue collar boxer from Butler became a fan favorite with his throw downs against Vinny Maddalone, and solidified his stance in the division with his wins over the likes of Danny Batchelder (UD), Axel Schulz (6th R. TKO), and John Poore (1st R. KO).
Minto aims to get his shot at a major heavyweight strap, and believes a win over Holmes will get him a step closer to reaching his goal. Read on to see what Brian Minto had to say about his upcoming bout, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.
What are your thoughts on this Friday’s clash against the undefeated Donnell Holmes?
Brian Minto
My thoughts, it is going to be a great night, I have prepared well for this fight. I have done a lot of training out here at the Wild Card Gym will Freddie Roach. Sparring has been very hard and competitive; I am ready to fight and in great shape to go twelve rounds or whatever it takes to win this fight and become a champ.
BH
We all know that you are now with the famed trainer Freddie Roach, why the change of trainers?
BM
It was time to make a move, I felt where I was at before, and there was not a lot of good sparring around the area I was at. I knew I needed to get out and better myself and further my career. I came to work with Freddie, and getting quality sparring, I think it is going to up my game to where it needs to be to elevate me to the next level.
BH
What have you taken away from this camp with Freddie, than you may not have taken away from any other?
BM
he showed me a couple of new punches and stuff, he got me to move my head more and hit from angles, one good thing he does do is strategize the fights. He watched a tape on Donnell Holmes and came up with a strategy on how to beat him, plus he is a great person, a real great guy, I believe in his game plan and preparation.
BH
You are fighting the undefeated Donnell Holmes; looking at his record he seems to have a lot of pop to his punches. You have seen Donnell before, what are your thoughts on Holmes?
BM
He is a big and strong guy, I guess he has a good right hand; he never really stepped up and fought too many people. Billy Zumbrun was his biggest win, which from what I heard he really did not win. So I don’t think that Donnell Holmes has been tested to where I have been, I don’t think he has been in with the stiffer competition, maybe the amateurs, but not the pros. He has been inactive for a while so I think that could hurt him, he hasn’t went to many rounds the last couple of years. I think I am the more active fighter, I just think that it is my time and I am ready.
BH
I interviewed Donnell Holmes recently, he was very thankful for the opportunity that you are giving him, but he basically said you would come up short, and even went as far as saying you and Freddie Roach picked the wrong opponent, and that you guys will come to realize that in the fight. What are your thoughts on his comments, do you feel he is trying to pump up the fight or maybe pump himself up?
BM
I don’t know, I think he trying to pump himself up, I don’t think he is trying to pump the fight up; the fight is in my back yard so the fight is already pumped up. I just think that Donnell Holmes thinks he is getting an ordinary guy in me; he has seen me fight and seen my style. I don’t understand the comment about us picking the wrong opponent, we have been looking to fight Donnell Holmes for a while and just waiting for it to be meaningful, actually my management and I picked him, and Freddie Roach had nothing to do with that, he is training me for the fight. Freddie gives his honest opinion, he watched tape on the guy, that’s what he does, that is his job, he knows boxing, he told me if he thought I could not win he would be honest with me and tell me, that wasn’t the case. Maybe Donnell is upset and that is why he felt he had to throw that comment out.
BH
What does a win over a guy like Donnell Holmes mean to your career?
BM
Well, it is for the NABO heavyweight title so it means everything to me, as far as an opportunity to jump in the top five in the WBO, it is a good opportunity, Donnell Holmes has a good record, but he has no big names on his resume, so I think it is good opportunity for the both of us. We sought Donnell Holmes out and picked him, because he has a great record, world ranked, so it is a meaningful fight for me. On paper it is a great winnable fight for me, if you look at the record and the resume, he has a lot of knock outs, but the opposition he fought has not been that great. Donnell Holmes has fought a lot of stiffs, and I have to but I have had my step up fights in between.
BH
So you are basically saying that you do not fear his power?
BM
He can say what he wants about the amateurs, but this is the pros. And no, because anybody over 200-pounds can get in the ring can get knocked out, or knock somebody out, this is heavyweight boxing. I am confident in my abilities, I have been in this situation before, I have a sparring partner who was 6’4” and way slicker than Donnell. It is boxing anything can happen on any giving night, but I feel the fight is won in the gym with your preparation, I could not of been in a better place. I put everything I have into this camp, believe I am not going to give up easily; I will take any measure I need to.
BH
What message would you send to Donnell Holmes using Convicted Artist Magazine as a platform?
BM
His message to me way that I am not on his level, well, I would like to tell Donnell Holmes that styles make fights, I don’t take to many steps backwards so we are going to see how conditioned he is and how hard he can punch. I am not going to run from him so what the hall, boxing is about game plans, styles, conditioning and heart, and believe me I have it all. Donnell Holmes says that I am not on his level; I would believe that I am beyond his level. If Donnell Holmes is such a high level fighter why is his resume the way it is? I think Donnell is trying to make himself feel confident. If you go by amateur experience, yes he does have more experience, but this is the pros. I am sure he has been working, this is a big fight for him, but we will find out come Friday night. Donnell says he can end my night early, well, I can end Donnell Holmes's night early as well, if I catch his chin, I know he doesn’t have the best chin.
BH
Anything in closing?
BM
Yes, if you cannot make it out to the show live, check out www.mintofight.com. $10, if you want to see a good fight, tune in.
I would like to thank Brian Minto for his time and thoughts, be sure to check out www.brianmintoboxing.com and tune into the fight at www.mintofight.com
Questions or comments email Benny at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
