Brian Minto isn't fighting anytime soon, but he's not sitting idle, either.

The Butler heavyweight boxer, who is 18-0 as a professional, hasn't fought since knocking out Vinnie Maddalone July 23 in Atlantic City, N.J.

Minto, 29, returned to the gym two weeks ago and spent last week in Vero Beach, Fla., sparring and working out for Buddy McGirt, an internationally known trainer currently working with Arturo Gatti (38-6) and World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver.

Gatti is managed by Pat Lynch, who is interested in Minto.

"They wanted McGirt to take a look at me," Minto said. "If I sign with them, I'll be fighting on the Gatti undercard in Atlantic City in January."

Promoter Bob Arum recently requested a tape of Minto, and Don King's organization remains interested in meeting with him, though that hasn't happened yet.

Minto's manager, Pat Nelson, is good friends with a matchmaker in King's organization.

"They wanted me to fight Owen Beck (23-0, 17 KO's) in two weeks with the winner guaranteed a bout with WBC champion (Vitali) Klitschko for the title," Minto said.

"I just got back in the gym. I'm not ready for that yet."

Nelson agreed.

"I'd like to keep him away from that level for at least a year," Nelson said. "We want to continue honing his skills as a professional against good, experienced fighters in the meantime."

Troy Weida (42-16-2) of Illinois is fighting Beck, the WBA Fedelatin champion - a regional titleholder - Saturday. Beck is from The Bahamas.

If Weida wins, he will fight Klitschko for the WBC title.

If Weida loses, he will fight Minto in a 10-round bout Nov. 11 at Mountaineer Race Track and Resort in Chester, W.Va.

"They're billing that November card as 'The Return of the Beast,'" Nelson said. "And Brian is the beast.

"Weida will likely lose to Beck. If he doesn't, we'll look for another opponent," he added.

Minto said he likely will meet with King either later this month or in October.

"I'm sure we'll talk," he said. "Pat tells me they've offered something verbally, but nothing on paper. I don't know what I'm gonna do yet. I may just keep going like I have been and sign with nobody right now. That's worked so far."

Nelson said no deal would be reached with any national promoter unless Minto receives hefty money up front.

"He's got a lot of options," Nelson said of Minto. "The Lynch deal may hinge on whether they get Brian a house in his name in Florida, since they want him to train there.

"McGirt has produced champions before. They're trying to sell Brian on the idea that they can make him a champion, and Brian has room for another manager with Felix DiAloiso, but it has to be financially right for him," he added/

Nelson also manages Michael Clark, the WBC's No. 1-ranked lightweight contender. Clark (34-2) lives in Columbus, Ohio.

"Don King and Bob Arum both want Clark," Nelson said. "I want to make Clark and Brian Minto a package deal. I want my fighters fighting on the same cards.

"If Brian can ride the success of Clark to land a sweet deal for himself, so be it. Brian would get a signing bonus large enough to make a down payment on a house, then make the payments with money he makes fighting and with what Felix pays him," he added.

Minto said he's gained five pounds of muscle mass since his last fight and has been running on a regular basis.

"There are ways to stay sharp without fighting," he said. "I'll be doing more sparring. … I'm giving my hands a much-needed rest right now.

"I'm just taking my time and seeing how things play out."