This Saturday rising middleweight contender Caleb Truax, who was last seen knocking out Donovan George on Espn Friday Night Fights, faces an old nemesis from his brief amateur career, Cerresso Fort at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
The card is promoted by Seconds Out Promotions, a company that in recent years has created a boom for Minnesota boxing.
Although the USBA and Minnesota State Middleweight belts will be on the line, the main event fight is both personnel and meaningful.
For Cerresso Fort, it would be a huge bounce back win that would steer his career back in the right direction after suffering his first loss to fellow prospect John Jackson earlier this year.
Caleb Truax has a lot on the line heading in to Saturday nights fight. Yes, Truax can get revenge from a defeat from his amateur days , but more importantly needs this win to stay on track for an Espn or premium network fight, and possibly a title fight in the 2014.
After his impressive upset performance last June on Espn, the calls flooded Seconds Out Promotions Founder and C.E.O Tony Grygelko, offering fights for Truax with some big names and major network opportunities. Talks with Golden Boy Promotions, Top Rank, and other promoters are ongoing, and include names like 160 pound contender Danny Jacobs, WBO Champion Peter Quillin, and even an offer to fight super middleweight king and one of the best fighters in the world Andre Ward.
After suffering his first loss of his career, Cerresso Fort beat Marcus Upshaw, whom he previous fought to a draw.
Heading in to this fight when asked about his fight with Truax in the amateurs Fort said, “it was a great experience at that time to face a bigger opponent.” Adding “he is focused on become a world champion” when asked about the possibility of Truax looking ahead to greener pastures.
I asked that same two questions to Caleb Truax and he responded “the fight was seven years ago and only 3 rounds. He had over 100 fights to my 30 amateur fights and he won by a spilt decision gaining a early lead but he was hurt late “.
Truax is well aware that media outside of Minnesota has labeled this matchup “a step back or stay busy fight”, but vows not to overlook Fort and expects a tough fight.
He added “the Minnesota fans wanted it”, which is very true with the event being one of the biggest cards to take place in the state feature local and city rivals.
With seven fights in total the two co-feature fights will be for Minnesota State Title’s when Mohammed Kayongo faces unbeaten Jamal James at welterweight, and lightweights Jeremy McLaurin and Tony Lee square off in a rematch fight from June that was an entertaining brawl in the first go round.
Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased at www.sofights.com or by calling (612)-770-0144
The card takes place at the Minneapolis Convention Center with the first bout at 7pm.
Weigh-In Results
Truax vs. Fort Weigh in Results from Minneapolis
Caleb Truax 160 Cerresso Fort 158.5 -12 rounds
Mohammed Kayongo 146 Jamal James 145.5 -8 rounds
Jeremy McLaurin 134.5 Tony Lee 134.5 -8 rounds
Adrian Martinez 132 Trevor Marmon 134 -4 rounds
Nathan Richardson 153 Fred Thomas 156 -4 rounds
Nathan Luis Rosa 260 John Schimon 234 -4 rounds
Brandon Buchholtz 136 Phillip Adyak 134 -4 rounds