BOXING: Caleb Truax and Jamal James Lead 2019 Armory Series

 The Minneapolis Armory’s national reputation as a premier boxing venue is carrying over into 2019 with today’s announcement that world-ranked local fighters Jamal James and Caleb Truax will lead a series of nationally televised boxing cards at the historic Armory.

Truax and James return to the Armory on separate dates after fighting on the same card last August before a packed house of fight fans. Like Truax, James is looking to get a world title opportunity and bring a championship belt home to Minnesota.

Caleb Truax left, and Peter Quillin, right, announce their fight on April 13, 2019.

In a clash of former world champions, Osseo’s Truax (30-4-2, 19 KOs) will face Peter Quillin (34-1-1, 23 KOs) of Brooklyn New York on Saturday, April 13. The winner will be right back in the picture for world title contention. It is a fight the Minnesotan has wanted for many years. Truax, who was in Los Angles for the FOX TV & PBC announcement, said he’s thrilled to be part of the series and even more excited to put on another show at the Armory.

“I’m excited as hell to be fighting back home at the Armory in April on FS1,” said Truax. “Quillin is a great fighter and former champion. I will have to be at my best to come out with a win. The last fight in the greater scheme of things was a small tune up for me. It was cool to be part of the show. The atmosphere was great. But this is a huge fight. It’s televised on FS1. It’s the main event. It’s a WBC title eliminator; two guys that are both former champions. I think we are going to blow the roof off the place. There will definitely be more than 4,000 people in there this time around. I know Team Truax will pack the house and the atmosphere will be crazy!”

James, who is ranked No. 3 in the world at welterweight by the World Boxing Association, returns to the Armory on Saturday, Feb. 23, against an opponent to be named. Anthony Dirrell battles Avni Yildirim for the vacant World Boxing Council World Super Middleweight Title on the undercard.

Last April, James headlined the first pro boxing show in the Armory in 45 years. He says he’s thrilled to do his part to bring the attention of the boxing world to Minnesota. The historic building is one of the best places to hold a boxing event, he said.

“People from all over the nation want to come there and fight there. It really puts Minnesota boxing on the map, puts Minnesota on the map and puts me and everyone I roll with on the map. I can’t wait to get back in there,” James said.

Rich in boxing tradition, the Armory has hosted fights featuring all-time greats that include Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Fritzie Zivic, and local legends such as Glen Flanagan and Jack Gibbons.

Truax, 30-4-2, shocked the boxing world last December when he defeated James DeGale of England for the IBF Super Middleweight championship. DeGale won the title back in April with a close decision victory.

Quillin, 34-1-1, a former WBA middleweight champion, has won two fights in a row since his loss to Daniel Jacobs in 2015.

Two more boxing events will be coming to the Armory in 2019 in addition to the cards in February and April. The fights will be televised nationally by Premier Boxing Champions, on multiple platforms with broadcast partners FS1 and FOX Deportes.