BOXING: TRUAX DEFENDS TITLE AGAINST DEGALE APRIL 7

IBF Super Middleweight World Champion “Golden” Caleb Truax (29-3-2, 18 KO’s) of Osseo, MN will defend his title in a rematch with London, England’s James “Chunky” DeGale (23-2-1, 14 KO’s) on April 7th. The co-main event showdown takes place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and will be shown live on Showtime.

Truax traveled to London last December and shocked DeGale on his home turf to bring home the title. Many believe Truax has DeGale’s number yet oddsmakers still have Truax as a 6-1 underdog this time around. Despite the odds, Truax predicts the rematch will be even more decisive in his favor.

27-year-old southpaw Aaron Coley (15-1-1, 7 KO’s) has been brought back to Minnesota to help Truax prepare for his first world title defense. The California native was a key piece for Truax’s win over DeGale. Coley will also be fighting on the 7th of April against Paul Valenzuela Jr (21-7, 15 KO’s) at the Eko Hotel Convention Center in Lagos. Team Truax will also be flying in light heavyweight lefty Ron Mixon (8-2, 7 KO’s) from California and getting rounds with Lyke’s Gym teammate Nate Richardson as well.

Tickets went on sale today (Friday, March 16th) and Minnesota fans making the trip to Vegas for Truax-DeGale 2 can be purchased at www.AXS.com.

With training camp underway, “The Wolfman” Marty Lindquist caught up with Truax at Lyke’s Boxing Gym in Coon Rapids to recap his World title victory over DeGale.

LINDQUIST: During the pre-fight interview, DeGale was talking about the fight as though he had already won. What was going through your mind?
TRUAX: I was irritated. All I heard all week was who he was going to fight next and that added some extra fuel to my fire and motivated me going into the fight.

LINDQUIST: Training camp looked great! The combination of Tony Grygelko promoting, Ron Lyke managing, Jim Maurine handling cuts, and Tom Halstad coaching and telling you, “We know you’re a champion, you know you’re a champion, now you’ve got to go to England and show them you’re a champion!” How important was developing that sort of mindset?
TRUAX: Any fighter has to believe in themselves in order to be successful. If you’re not confident you can win a fight you have no business being in the ring. That’s how fighters get hurt.

LINDQUIST: It took a lot of guts to go fight an Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion on his home turf. What was going through your mind when they read the judge’s scorecards?
TRUAX: I was hoping that they wouldn’t screw me! I thought that I had won the fight pretty clearly but after the 1st card was announced as a draw, I was nervous. Thankfully the other two got it right.

LINDQUIST: Your uppercuts were very effective in turning the tide of the fight. Was that something you planned?
TRUAX: After watching the film, we drew up a game plan that would call for a lot of pressure. Once I was able to get close to DeGale, the uppercuts started landing. It worked out just as we drew it up.

LINDQUIST: Congratulations Champ! You’ve worked very hard and lived like a champion. We’re all proud of you!
TRUAX: Thanks Wolfman! I appreciate it.