Brian Minto Interview “I know I have to prove it, but I am not a washed up fighter!” By "Big Dog" Benny Henderson Jr, Doghouse Boxing (April 27, 2012) Doghouse Boxing - Tweet
American heavyweight Brian “The Beast” Minto 35-5 (22) has had his share
of ups and downs, thrills and spills, the good the bad in his ten years
of being a professional boxer. All though the thirty-seven year old
banger may be in the valley at this time in his career, he aims to get
back on that mountain, and his journey begins this Saturday night when
he takes on former semi-pro quarterback Matt Hicks 13-6 (12). The Beast
spoke out on his career, the triumphs, the tribulations, and his future,
enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.: You are coming off a loss against Tony Grano, run us through the events which led to your loss?
Brian Minto: Well, first of all, I really wasn’t training with the trainer that I
probably should have been with. My defense was definitely very suspect
in the fight, but he did catch me with a good punch on the temple. I
threw a jab, he must of timed it out, I give him credit, he threw a good
punch. I felt I was winning the fight, I was controlling the action. I
knocked him down but they called it a slip, but Tony Grano can punch,
and most heavyweights can. He is not a very big heavyweight but he does
have a good right hand, I sit and looked back on it, as a fighter we go
through all these mixed emotions. But, I humbled myself and got back
with my old trainer, we have been working on defense, keeping my hands
up and throwing correct punches, I have some bad habits. I feel like I
have gotten back to where I need to be, I felt great in sparring, I have
gotten tighter with my defense and more selective with my shots.
BH:
Watching the fight, listening to the commentators, reading websites
saying that you should retire now with the loss. What are your thoughts
on the critics saying that you are done, washed up and should retire?
BM: I would like to thank them because they fuel my determination. They
drive me forward, I am not a quitter, I think people get caught up in
listening to people tell them what they cannot do. Only I deep down
inside know what I am made of. For me it was me not being around the
right people when I was preparing for fights. People are going to talk
about what you should and should not do, all of these negative people
try to bring people down, I do not let that happen. I have been staying
positive, I am looking for a big win this Saturday, I feel great, and I
do not believe that I am washed up, each time I got knocked down I got
up, I did not lay there like I was dead. People can talk that is great,
but deep down I believe what I believe and I am going to go with that.
So I would like to thank them.
BH: How important is this fight against Matt Hicks?
BM: It
is do or die for me, but I was out of the ring for a while before I
fought Grano, I wasn’t doing what I should have, but now I feel great, I
have had a great camp. When you get knocked down get right back up,
that is even in life. That is what tough people are made up, how you
react to adversity. I have to keep improving and keep getting better and
I have been working hard to do that. it is up to me to prove to people
that I am still here, Saturday is the beginning to the start of the
finish, I have to produce some Saturday and I believe that I will.
BH: What do you know about Matt Hicks?
BM: I
know he is a big guy, and ex football player, strong guy, I am sure he
is not over looking me. What I have seen of his record he has never
really beaten anybody with any kind of stature. I always give respect to
anybody who climbs through those ropes. I have been working hard in my
gym, I think my biggest problem was not knowing where my hands were at
all times. But I have worked on it and I am ready to make news again,
but again I have to prove that and Saturday will be part of that
process.
BH: Do you still feel that you are relevant in the heavyweight division?
BM: Yes.
I am striving to make a run to the title, there is always bumps in the
road, I want to see what I am made up now. I have fallen short a few
times, but I feel that it is great that I got back with Tom. I am trying
to get better and better, I want to see where this takes me and make a
run at it. I am a determined man right now.
BH: If you
could send a message out to Matt Hicks before this fight using Doghouse
Boxing as a platform,k what would that message be?
BM: I
would say to Matt Hicks, that I am not a washed up fighter, I am coming
to fight on Saturday, be ready to get your ass kicked because it is
coming! (Brian then Laughs)
BH: That’s on record there.
BM: Yep, get ready to get your ass kicked because I am not a nice guy!
BH: Anything in closing?
BM: I
would like to thank the people that has supported me, and I hope that I
regain their confidence in me in the future. And most of all God Bless.
