BOXING: TRUAX DEFEATS BASAJJAMIVULE IN MNPLS

“Golden” Caleb Truax (now 31-4-2, 19 KO’s) of Saint Michael, MN won a 10 round majority decision over David Basajjamivule (now 16-5-1, 11 KO’s) of Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, January 25 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Truax had some good moments which came by way of his hard right hand. One of those right hands are believe to have opened up a deep gash over the right eye of Basajjamivule prior to the end of round three. Still, Truax said afterwards that it was not the performance he had hoped for.

“I don’t feel very good about that performance” said Truax. “I felt good in the gym and was feeling sharp coming into the fight. I don’t know if it was ring rust or what but I didn’t put on the show that I wanted to put on for the fans that haven’t seen me fight in nine months. I got the win but I don’t really feel like a winner tonight.”

Prior to the fight, Truax had only boxed two rounds in the last seventeen months. He got off to a good start last night and ended the fight strong. Basajjamivule was tough and did his best work when he was able to trap Truax on the ropes and let his punches go. The Kenyan picked up the pace in the middle rounds, took some big shots, and landed his own telling blows. Basajjamivule was warned a few times for rabbit punches in the clinch and was eventually deducted two points in separate rounds for the fouls. Those points may have been significant as the final scores read 95-93, 97-91 for Truax and 94-94.

After a good start, Truax slowed until he did his best work in rounds 7 and 8 while hurting Bajajjamivule with hard straight rights to the head. Missing though were his signature jab and uppercut.

Premier Boxing Champions announced last Tuesday that Truax would be facing Ghana’s Amuzu (25-5, 22 KO’s), who now fights out of Prichard, Alabama. Truax was caught off guard by the announcement as he had not yet been approached with the fight. He said that the fight is a possibility.

“I want to get back in the ring as soon as possible. There’s a possibility I will be fighting in a few weeks in Nashville. I’m not really sure how that’s going to shake out. I’ll be back in the gym on Monday trying to correct the mistakes I made tonight.”

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