TORONTO’S Blake Minto will fight for a world title in Newcastle on Saturday night, and victory would help to open some doors in America when he visits later this year.
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Minto will challenge veteran Argentinian Sergio Gonzalez for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) super lightweight world title at the Wests City Club.
Gonzalez will step into the ring just five days before his 40th birthday. He hasn’t fought for 15 months, and is coming off two losses.
Minto, 25, is renowned for his fitness and work rate and is expected to apply plenty of pressure to the experienced visitor.
But Minto is taking nothing for granted, and is reading nothing into Gonzalez’s extended absence from the ring.
“I know he’s a pretty durable guy. About a year and a half ago Gonzalez fought another Aussie, Darragh Foley, and Foley is a big hitter, and he couldn’t even stop Gonzalez,” Minto said.
“We’re looking to go to 12 rounds against him, and he’s a southpaw so everything is going to be backwards for me.”
Gonzalez is the veteran of 57 professional fights, with a record of 31 wins including 15 by way of knock-out.
“His punches are pretty sharp, actually, and he tries to bring a left hook around to try and catch you,” Minto said.
Gonzalez has had most of his fights in his native Argentina, but he has also ventured overseas for bouts in Canada, Russia and Belgium. He is yet to register a win away from home.
Minto said he planned to use his jab to lay the foundation for victory.
“I’ll be really pumping that jab into his face every round to keep him at a distance, and setting up off that jab in the later rounds to try and bring my right hand home to square him up,” Minto said.
If he wins, Minto said he believed that would make him the first Lake Macquarie boxer to win a world title.
“It would be massive for me,” he said, “ and for my trainers and the local community here, as well.”
Minto said victory on Saturday night would also attract attention when he visits America.
“After this fight we’re heading over to America, and to Los Angeles to do some sparring in the famous Freddie Roach’s gym.”
Meanwhile, Kilaben Bay boxer Manyang Dut scored a technical knock-out win over Rhyse Saliba in the third round of their bout at The Star, in Sydney, on Saturday.
