Caleb Truax (born September 14, 1983) is an American professional boxer. He held the IBF super middleweight title from 2017 to 2018 and challenged once for the WBA (Regular) middleweight title in 2015.

Caleb Truax
Born (1983-09-14) September 14, 1983 (age 41)
Other namesGolden
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights40
Wins31
Wins by KO19
Losses6
Draws2
No contests1

Personal life

edit

Truax is a native of Osseo, Minnesota. He has a twin sister, Erin Truax, and a younger brother, Seth Martinez.

Truax is a 2002 graduate of Osseo Senior High School. While attending high school, he was an all-conference member of the Osseo Orioles football and baseball teams.[1]

Truax then played football at Virginia State University for one year before a knee injury ended his gridiron career. He returned home in 2003 to attend the University of Minnesota, and it was there at the age of 19 that Truax entered a local Toughman contest. He lost his first fight, but soon became consumed by boxing—altering his diet and training as he pursued an amateur career.[2]

Truax graduated from the University of Minnesota majoring in Sociology,[3] minoring in both African American studies and Political Science.

Amateur career

edit

Truax compiled a record of 21 wins and 8 losses. In 2006 he was the USA Boxing State Champion, the Region 1 Champion, and the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Champion.[4]

Professional career

edit

Caleb Truax debuted as a professional fighter in April 2007 with a 2nd-round knockout of Ray Walker. As of March 2015, Truax has a professional record of 25 wins, one loss, and two draws. Truax has defeated Ossie Duran, Matt Vanda, Andy Kolle, Phil Williams,[5] Jonathan Reid, Antwun Echols, Durrell Richardson, and James Crayton. His professional loss came to former undisputed middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor (Truax knocked Taylor down in the 9th round.)

Truax drew Ossie Duran in a 10-round non-title bout at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The bout was part of an eight-fight card promoted by Mike Tyson's new company, Iron Mike Productions. Mike Tyson was in attendance at the event, and said of Truax, "I hear he is exciting and he is something that we need for boxing, he is a breath of fresh air because boxing is in the doldrums right now. I'm looking forward to seeing him and if he is as much as everyone has told me."[6]

WBA title bout

edit

Truax faced Daniel Jacobs for the WBA (Regular) Middleweight title on April 24, 2015, and was stopped with 48 seconds left in the 12th and final round. A TKO loss. However Truax surprised the critics almost going the distance. The fight was broadcast on Spike TV as part of the Premier Boxing Champions[7]

IBF World Super Middleweight title fight

edit

On 9 December 2017, Truax fought British fighter James 'Chunky' DeGale at the Copper Box Arena in London, England, for Degale's IBF World Super Middleweight Title. Truax got off the mark the quickest and hit DeGale with several heavy shots throughout the fight. Although DeGale used his experience to come back into the fight in later rounds, it turned out to be too little too late. Truax showed great stamina and endurance to win the fight against the odds by Majority Decision, with scores of 116–112, 115-112 and 114–114 in favor of Truax. Although there was no re-match in the contract, DeGale immediately expressed his wish for a second fight upon losing.[8][9] Truax's victory was possibly one of the biggest boxing upsets of 2017, with both Bookmakers and Boxing Media heavily favoring DeGale pre-fight.[citation needed]

Truax vs DeGale II

edit

The rematch happened four months after, in Las Vegas. In what was a close and very competitive fight, Truax was overmatched by DeGale. The fight was full of clinches and headbutts, especially DeGale who got cut over his right eye, and was a bloody mess by the end of the fight. In the end, all three judges scored the fight in favor of DeGale, two of them scoring it 114-113 and one judge seeing a wider victory for DeGale, scoring the fight 117–100 in favor of DeGale.[10]

On 13 April 2019, Truax fought Peter Quillin. The fight endend in a no-contest, because of an accidental head clash which caused a severe cut over Truax's right eye. After the fight, Truax stated that we was ready to continue, but the ringside physician made the final call.[11]

In his next fight, Truax faced David Basajjamivule in his home state of Minnesota. Truax was more effective than his opponent during the fight, while Basajjamivule got a point deducted in two occasions, once for hitting Truax at the back of his head, and once for holding. Truax won the fight via majority-decision.[12]

Professional boxing record

edit
40 fights 31 wins 6 losses
By knockout 19 2
By decision 12 4
Draws 2
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
40 Loss 31–6–2 (1) Burley Brooks UD 10 Jun 24, 2023 Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
39 Loss 31–5–2 (1) Caleb Plant UD 12 Jan 30, 2021 Shrine Exposition Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. For IBF super middleweight title
38 Win 31–4–2 (1) David Basajjamivule MD 10 Jan 25, 2020 Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
37 NC 30–4–2 (1) Peter Quillin NC 2 (12) Apr 13, 2019 Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Fight stopped after Truax cut from accidental head clash
36 Win 30–4–2 Fabiano Pena TKO 3 (10) Aug 24, 2018 Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
35 Loss 29–4–2 James DeGale UD 12 Apr 7, 2018 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost IBF super middleweight title
34 Win 29–3–2 James DeGale MD 12 Dec 9, 2017 Copper Box Arena, London, England Won IBF super middleweight title
33 Win 28–3–2 KeAndrae Leatherwood TKO 10 Aug 25, 2017 Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
32 Win 27–3–2 Zachariah Kelley KO 2 (8) Aug 20, 2016 Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
31 Loss 26–3–2 Anthony Dirrell TKO 1 (10), 1:49 Apr 29, 2016 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30 Win 26–2–2 Melvin Betancourt TKO 4 (10) Feb 20, 2016 Black Bear Casino, Carlton, Minnesota, U.S.
29 Loss 25–2–2 Daniel Jacobs TKO 12 (12), 2:12 Apr 24, 2015 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. For WBA (Regular) middleweight title
28 Win 25–1–2 Scott Sigmon TKO 8 (10) Nov 1, 2014 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
27 Win 24–1–2 Derek Ennis UD 10 Jul 25, 2014 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
26 Draw 23–1–2 Ossie Duran UD 10 Jan 3, 2014 Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
25 Win 23–1–1 Cerresso Fort TKO 4 (12), 1:49 Sep 21, 2013 Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Won vacant USA Minnesota State and IBF-USBA middleweight titles
24 Win 22–1–1 Don George TKO 6 (8), 2:24 Jun 21, 2013 Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
23 Win 21–1–1 Matt Vanda UD 10 Jan 19, 2013 Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
22 Win 20–1–1 Michael Walker TKO 4 (8), 2:59 Nov 17, 2012 Crown Plaza Hotel, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
21 Win 19–1–1 Mickey Scarborough KO 1 (10), 1:57 Sep 22, 2012 Crown Plaza Hotel, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
20 Loss 18–1–1 Jermain Taylor UD 10 Apr 20, 2012 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
19 Win 18–0–1 Andy Kolle SD 10 May 27, 2011 St. Paul Armory, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. Won vacant USA Minnesota State middleweight title
18 Win 17–0–1 Phil Williams MD 10 Feb 26, 2011 Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
17 Win 16–0–1 Jonathan Reid TKO 9 (10), 2:29 Oct 9, 2010 Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
16 Win 15–0–1 Antwun Echols UD 10 Jun 11, 2010 St. Paul Armory, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
15 Draw 14–0–1 Phil Williams SD 10 Apr 23, 2010 St. Paul Armory, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. For vacant USA Minnesota State super middleweight title
14 Win 14–0 Kerry Hope UD 10 Nov 20, 2009 National Guard Armory, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. Won vacant WBF International super middleweight title
13 Win 13–0 Patrick Perez TKO 7 (8), 1:19 Jul 25, 2009 St. Paul Armory, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Durrell Richardson UD 8 Jun 5, 2009 Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Steve Walker TKO 2 (6), 2:20 Feb 13, 2008 Epic Night Club, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Johnny Hayes TKO 5 (6) Jan 24, 2009 Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Larry Brothers TKO 1 (6), 2:27 Nov 28, 2008 Convention Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Robert Kliewer KO 3 (6), 0:23 Aug 29, 2008 Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Thomas Rittenbaugh UD 6 Jun 26, 2008 Tachi Palace Hotel, Lemoore, California, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 James Crayton TKO 4 (6) May 17, 2008 St. Paul Armory, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Jeffrey Osborne Jr UD 6 Mar 29, 2008 The Myth, Maplewood, Minnesota, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Jeffrey Osborne Jr UD 4 Nov 17, 2007 The Myth, Maplewood, Minnesota, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Terry Tock KO 2 (4), 1:56 Jul 13, 2007 Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Nick Whiting TKO 2 (4), 1:52 Jun 15, 2007 Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Ray Walker TKO 2 (4) Apr 6, 2007 Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Caleb Truax: Promising Boxer". Maple Grove Magazine. Tiger Oak Media. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Caleb Truax - Next Fight, Fighter Bio, Stats & News". PBC Boxing. 18 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Boxing in Minnesota is down, not out". Star Tribune.
  4. ^ [1] [dead link]
  5. ^ "Caleb Truax". BoxRec.
  6. ^ Greder, Andy (20 November 2013). "Mike Tyson can't wait for a closer look at Osseo boxer Caleb Truax". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  7. ^ "Daniel Jacobs ends defensive battle emphatically with 12th-round TKO of Caleb Truax". PBC Boxing. 25 April 2015.
  8. ^ "James DeGale stunned, loses title belt to Caleb Truax". ESPN. 9 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  9. ^ "Caleb Truax Rocks James DeGale For IBF Belt in Shocker". BoxingScene.com. 9 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  10. ^ "James DeGale a Bloody Mess, Edges Truax For IBF Title". BoxingScene.com. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  11. ^ Christ, Scott (2019-04-14). "Quillin vs Truax ends in no contest due to clash of heads". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  12. ^ "Caleb Truax defeats Daniel Basajjamivule by majority decision in Minneapolis". The Ring. 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
edit
Achievements
Preceded by IBF super-middleweight champion
December 9, 2017 - April 7, 2018
Succeeded by
James DeGale