The end is near for Brian Minto.

Butler’s veteran heavyweight boxer will be reminded of that a day before he takes on Tony Grano in a 12-round NABF heavyweight title eliminator Jan. 28 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, N.Y.

Minto will turn 37 on Jan. 27.

“I still believe in myself and in my abilities to succeed in this sport,” Minto said. “But I will never allow myself to make a living being an opponent for someone to climb over, just to get a few pay days.

“I have way too much pride for that. I’ll know when it’s over.”

Minto (35-4, 22 KOs) has fought only two rounds in the past 19 months while waiting for the opportunity to come around that he believes he has right now.

The winner of this fight will be in line for a NABF title shot against champion Johnathon Banks (27-1-1), who is ranked No. 5 by the WBC.

“This is all about taking one last climb toward another world title fight,” said Minto, who lost a world cruiserweight title bout to champion Marco Huck in 2010. “I don’t think I should lose a fight to a guy like this (Grano).

“I’m not saying he’s a bad fighter. But I’ve got the experience over him, I’ve fought better competition ... I should be able to beat him and continue on.”

Grano (18-2-2, 14 KOs) is 31 and has fought 74 rounds in the pro ranks. Minto has fought 179.

Grano is 6-foot-2 — 3 inches taller than Minto — and is coming off a six-round TKO of Dominique Alexander (20-10-1) in April. Prior to that, Grano suffered a two-round TKO loss to Nicolai Firtha of Akron, Ohio in 2010.

Minto has been sparring with Firtha.

“We thought the referee stopped that fight prematurely,” said Bill Grano, Grano’s manager and father. “Tony did get knocked down in the first round, then got hit three times while he was on one knee.

“Tony got up, but hadn’t recovered from that when he got knocked down again. He jumped right back up and was ready to go. ... We were shocked when they stopped that fight.”

Grano turned pro after winning the USA Boxing national title in 2005. He won three Connecticut state championships and one USA regional title before that.

Grano was 40-10 as an amateur.

“He’s had plenty of amateur fights, but the pros are a different world,” Minto said. “I’ve seen a couple of his fights and I’m not sure how well he can take a punch.”

Bill Grano admitted that Minto “will be the best foe Tony’s ever been in the ring with.”

“But Tony is tough, he has a lot of heart and heavy hands,” his father continued. “He’s a boxer-puncher and if he’s on his game, he can beat anybody.”

Minto has sparred 80 rounds in the past six weeks and claims to be in the best shape of his life.

“I’m at 220 pounds and feel comfortable there,” he said. “I’ve put on muscle in the past year and still have my agility. My body fat is at 8.9 percent and that’s pretty good.

“People I’ve talked to have said Grano likes to fight at his own pace and doesn’t like to be pressured. He’s got some pop. ... Anybody over 200 pounds who hits you with 10-ounce gloves, it’s not going to tickle.”

Manager Grano said Minto “is as tough as they come. They don’t call him ‘The Beast’ for nothing.”

Minto admitted he will consider retirement should he lose this fight.

“If that’s the case, it may be time to say adios and hang ’em up,” he said. “I’ve got kids and over the last 10 years, I’ve been gone a lot.

“I need to take care of my physical well-being and my family. There will be a sigh of relief from my wife when it’s over. ... I just don’t think it’s over yet.”