CALEB TRUAX, BURLEY BROOKS BATTLE IN SHOWTIMES STREAMED UNDERCARD MAIN EVENT TONIGHT!
Former IBF super middleweight champion and Minnesota’s own “Golden” Caleb Truax makes his long-awaited return tonight, facing dangerous and upset minded Dallas, Texas native Burley Brooks. The two meet at the Minneapolis Armory in a 10 round light-heavyweight bout which will headline Showtimes free streamed undercard portion of the show. Later, Showtime TV goes live with two world title fights and a third bout featuring Wisconsin’s Luis Arias.
Maplewood, Minnesota’s Mark Nelson will referee the bout between Truax and Brooks while Minneapolis’ Ludy Webster, Saint Paul’s Brian Cosgrove, and Nevada’s Raymundo Perez will judge the contest.
Truax told Minnesota Boxing on Wednesday that his contract against Brooks was written for 8 rounds but that he welcomes the round change to 10 because it will play into his favor due to experience. Brooks told us that he has been sparring twelve round sessions so that ten, isn’t a problem. We confirmed on Wednesday that promoter Tom Brown made the switch for the bout from 8 to 10 rounds so that Truax-Brooks could be the main event of the free streamed undercard/off TV portion of the show. The first fight at the Armory is scheduled to begin at 4:35 PM CST with the Showtime stream set to begin at 5:30 PM CST. Showtime TV will go live at 8 PM CST.
Now residing in St. Michael, MN, 39 year-old Caleb Truax (31-5-2, 19 KO’s) goes back to The Armory for the third time as he returns after two and a half years out of the ring to box in front of what should be another full house of supporters. Truax says that getting by his younger and bigger opponent Brooks is a must in order to get one more crack at a title or big time fight. Truax cemented his place as one of Minnesota’s best ever by capturing the IBF world title, upsetting James Degale in 2017 in England. Most recently, Truax lost his bid to regain world champion status with a decision loss to Caleb Plant in 2021. In his sixteenth year as a professional, Truax says that he is focused on getting by Brooks to chase one more big time fight before hanging up the gloves.
“Two and a half years is a long time to be out of the ring for anyone, especially at my age” said Truax. “I ended up having fights be canceled due to Covid and fights just falling through. I’ve been in the gym in that time and I’m always in the gym year round. I’ve had since April to focus on this fight so I really worked on diet, hard work, and staying ready for the 24th.”
“I need to first get passed Burley Brooks. I can’t overlook him because he’s a tough competitor. The goal is to get back into a championship fight or a big, notable fight next. There is nobody specific opponent that I am looking for, just the biggest fights out there. I know that I only have a few fights left in my career. I’m 39 years old and don’t want to do this forever. Like I said, I’m not overlooking Burley Brooks. I need to win this fight in order for me to continue my career.”
“I’m excited to get back to the Armory. I’ve let it be known that I want to finish my career there. It’s a fantastic venue and they’ve treated me very well. PBC has done around four shows per year there over the years and I’ve fought there twice. The last fight at the Armory obviously left a bad taste in my mouth. I fought Peter Quillin and the fight was stopped in the second round due to a nasty headbutt so I want to give the fans a better show than that here at home. The Armory is one of the most premier venues in boxing today and I’m excited to be back in front of my fans. They’ve waited for years and have always supported me throughout my sixteen years in my pro career and three years as an amateur.”
“I’m especially excited to be back in front of my hometown fans to give them a chance to see me one or two more times there before my career is over. I want to give a shout out to all of team Truax for the support all these years that everyone has shown me. Shout out to MinnesotaBoxing.com for covering the fights throughout my entire career and for everyone else in the state. It’s time to get down to business on the 24th.”
– Caleb Truax
Standing opposite Truax is 27-year-old Burley Brooks (6-2-1, 5 KOs) of Dallas, Texas. Brooks was one of the best amateur boxers in the country prior to turning pro and has had some highs along a few setbacks on marquee shows so far as a pro since 2019. Brooks told us that he has spent years training with undefeated world champion Errol Spence Jr., undefeated world champion Jermall Charlo, and even Minnesota’s former world champion Rob Brant formerly of Oakdale during Brant’s run at the top. All three live in Texas with Brooks who works with top trainer Derrick James and Derrick’s younger brother Maurice. Brooks began his professional career with all six of his wins coming before taking two tough loses and a draw in fights he appeared to be the better skilled boxer. Behind a vicious body attack, Brooks says boxing injuries played a part in how his career began but that nearly two years out of the ring have been a blessing for him to become healthy and focused. Brooks is familiar with Truax and says he is excited to face the former world champion.
“I’m anxious but I’m ready” Brooks told MN Boxing. “I’ve been off for a long time. I’ve been watching Caleb since I was an amateur. I never thought I was ever going to fight him. I feel like he’s going to be sleeping on me and just looking at my record and how young I am in my career. I’m exited for this fight. I know what type of guy he is. I know his social media, I’ve watched his fights. I’ve been in the ring with guys who are the best in the game also. Been in with coaches who are the best in the game.
“I’m ready to get back and show everybody what I can really do. I came into the pro game fighting with a broken right hand and a torn left rotator cuff. I feel like these two years off allowed me to recover and also grow to be more mature in the ring. I was able to let my body heal properly. A lot of people thought that all I was is an inside fighter. But I feel like I’ve got everything back that made me successful as an amateur. A good jab and right hand. I feel like I’ve got a complete arsenal. I’m back and I’m stronger, bigger, faster, smarter. I can’t wait.”
“As a fighter, I feel like Caleb is a tough guy. Very tough, he comes forward and is experience. He likes to throw the right hand and maybe go to the body. He’s been in the ring with a lot of guys that everybody’s been watching. I’m not overlooking Caleb as being done at all. I’ve taken this fight very, very serious. Them moving this fight to ten rounds is fine. I’ve been sparring twelve rounds. I’ve been sparring Errol this camp and getting the best work. I’ve been preparing for this fight since April and feel like I’ve been preparing on a world class level both mentally and physically. My gym is hot as hell (laughing). It’s grueling so when I get in that AC in Minnesota, I am going to be on point.”
“I’m glad to be fighting in Minnesota for the first time in front of a new set of fans. I am coming to put on a one sided performance. I feel like I have a lot to show. There’s a lot of me that hasn’t been seen. I’m fresher and better than ever and want to put on a clinic. I don’t mean any disrespect but I’m coming to break him.”
– Burley Brooks
Hard-hitting Interim WBC Middleweight Champion Carlos Adames will battle former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams in the 12-round main event of action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, June 24 from The Armory in Minneapolis in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and featured top super welterweight contenders Erickson “Hammer” Lubin and Luis “Cuba” Arias squaring off in the 10-round co-main event. Super flyweight world champion Fernando “Pumita” Martinez will put his IBF title on the line against unbeaten Filipino contender Jade Bornea in the telecast opener. Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster. Lubin vs. Arias is co-promoted with Mayweather Promotions.