MINNEAPOLIS,MN (August 21, 2018) – Local world-ranked boxers Jamal “Shango” James and “Golden” Caleb Truax step into the ring tonight at the Minneapolis Armory for a nationally televised night of boxing at the historic venue.
James, of Minneapolis, boasts a 23-1 professional record and is ranked No. 3 in the world at welterweight by the World Boxing Association. He hopes to continue his ascent in the division with a win over Mahonry Montes (35-7-1) of Mexico.
Former IBF Super Middleweight champion Truax, of Osseo, will make his Armory debut in a showdown against upset-minded Fabiano Pena (15-10-1).
Both fighters said they are ready, but they are not taking their opponents lightly.
“I’ve been on TV numerous times,” James said. “Anyone that takes a fight with me, I know they are coming to fight. They are not just coming to lay down. I take every fight like it’s a championship fight.”
Truax described his opponent as “a tough guy from Brazil” who is “going to come to try to upset the applecart” on Truax’s home turf.
“I have to be ready. I have to take him 100 percent seriously and treat it like it’s a world title fight, because if I get the through this fight, the next fight may be a world title fight. I have to go about my business and get him out of there,” Truax said.
In two other featured bouts, veteran Willie Monroe (22-3) of Rochester, New York, will face once-beaten Immanuwel Aleem (18-1-1) of Richmond, Virginia, and unbeaten Jamontay Clark (13-0) of Cincinnati will square off against Jeison Rosario (15-1-1) of the Dominican Republic.
Undefeated welterweight Celso Ramirez (7-0), a native of Mexico who now makes his home in Minneapolis, will face Willie Jones (5-1) of Tampa, Florida. Ramirez wowed a packed house at the Armory on April 13 with an impressive knockout victory over veteran Brandon Baue.
Also making his second visit to the Armory is 6’ 6” super welterweight prospect Sebastian Fundora (9-0), who outlasted Ve Shawn Owens of Minneapolis last April in a bruising all-action bout. The “Towering Inferno” will take on tough Antonio Urista (10-2) of Lansing, Michigan.
Steeped in boxing tradition, the Armory has hosted fights featuring all-time greats that include Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong and Fritzie Zivic, and local legends such as Glen Flanagan and Jack Gibbons.
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