Luan Krasniqi

photo Eroll Popova
March 12, 2007

By Karl Freitag

Heavyweight Brian "The Beast" Minto (27-1, 16 KOs) shocked a nation when he derailed the comeback of German icon Axel Schulz in front of 12,000 spectators and a RTL TV audience estimated at 12 million. On Saturday in Stuttgart, the man from Butler, Pennslyvania will again be in the spotlight, this time with an even tougher opponent in world-rated WBO #5 Luan Krasniqi (29-2-1, 14 KOs) in a bout for the WBO intercontinental belt. The event is a hot ticket with promoter Universum already increasing the capacity of the Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle due to the huge demand for tickets. Fightnews.com interviewed Minto about the fight, and as always, he was candid in his answers.

How has your life changed since your big win over Axel Schulz?

It really hasn’t changed much at all. I mean it has changed a little bit but I am still the same guy. I don’t try to act any different and just stay humble. Just be kind and courteous to everybody else. I don’t think that I am above anybody so I treat everybody like I like to be treated. It has given me a few more fans and more stability.

Now you have another big fight in Germany, this time against Luan Krasniqi. What do you think of Krasniqi's style as a boxer?

One dimensional, stand up, he’s technically good, he seems quick and I think he has some hand speed; he throws his punches well and has some punching power. He doesn’t look to fight on the inside much and doesn’t like pressure.

Krasniqi's hometown is only about 60 miles from the fight venue in Stuttgart. Is it hard to face a fighter in front of their hometown crowd? Are you getting used to it?

Yeah, that should be my new nickname; I can bring an upset over anybody.

Since you are the "Schulz Conqueror," is this bout more personal than normal? In other words, do you feel a sense of payback or revenge toward you in regard to this bout?

They are trying to bill it as that, I am sure there are some people would like to see me get beat obviously, but from what I am told he is not from Germany he is Albanian, he is not a true German. But over there they adopt their fighters, Klitschko is from the Ukraine and he came over to Germany and they love him. Those people over there are just a different breed of boxing fans. It is totally different than the United States, it just seems like they appreciate the sport more.

Will this fight end in a decision or a knockout? And do you feel you need a knockout to win this fight?

You know it, I know it, everybody knows it, I have to knock him out.

Is there a rematch clause in the contract?

Yeah, if I beat him I have to rematch him, it he wins no way. It favors him all the way.

What would a win over Krasniqi do for your career?

Jumpstart it, maybe into a title fight. I am ranked in the WBO (#15) so the sky is the limit.