Undefeated middleweight sensation Caleb Truax 13-0 (9) is a man on a mission, setting out to make his mark in the fight game, and his quest continues this Friday night as the twenty-six year old Minnesota born boxer takes on Kerry Hope 12-2 (1) for the vacant WBFI middleweight strap.
Truax, is not only Boxing Digest’s ‘Prospect of the Month’ for the month of April of 2009, the Osseo native is a graduate of the University of Minnesota majoring in sociology, minoring in both African American studies and political science.
Truax compiled a 24-8 amatuer record, with awards that include the 2006 USA Boxing State Champion, the Region 1 Champion, and the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Champion.
In his two years as a professional, Truax has banged out nothing but success, and aims to continue his winning ways come fight night.
In this excusive interview Caleb Truax speaks out onhis career, and talks on his upcoming fight, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.
You have the fight coming up Friday night; give the readers your thoughts?
Caleb Truax
I am excited man, I am going to compete for my first belt, I think it is going to be a full house and that is always a blessing. I had a change of opponents but I am ready to roll with it, and I think actually the new opponent will be a more crowd pleasing fight, he is younger and hungrier and stronger and that will mean more in the long run.
BH
I know you were slated to face Carl Daniels, now your opponent is Kerry Hope, as far as your training goes how did the change in preparation affect you?
CT
It was pretty late, I just found out pretty much on Friday that we have to fight Hope, I think Daniels is having some legal troubles and they are trying to get him out of jail so he couldn’t go. I was pretty much wrapping up training and this week we just work on a few things and let my body recover. I didn’t change too much. Hope is a south paw like Daniels so I didn’t have to change up my sparring. His style is different, Hope is a come forward fighter, he is going to apply the pressure, Daniels is more of a laid back counter guy so I am going to have to make a few adjustments, but nothing major.
BH
Have you seen Kerry Hope fight before?
CT
Yes, we seen tape of him, he had a good stop in the last round, Kerry has a few habits that I am going to try to take advantage of, he looks like a strong fighter. Actually I was in camp with him before, I seen him work out a little bit, he looks like a strong dude.
BH
Being a young prospect, what do you feel that you bring to the table that the other prospects in your division may not?
CT
I am an exciting fighter, I like to give the fans their moneys worth, I am a personable guy, and I take time out to talk to the fans. People just like watching me fight.
BH
Looking at yourself, I am not going to ask you to say anything bad about your style, but what do you feel are your greatest strengths and what do you feel you need to work on as a young fighter?
CT
Right now what I do need to work on is being more aggressive, I lay back to much and try to counter when I should be pushing the pace. I have been working on that and I can see a difference. My best tools I think is my fundamentals, I take it very seriously, keep my hands up and working on sharp hard punches, I am a thinking fighter; I am always trying to outthink my opponent.
BH
Out side of the ring what are some things that keep you busy?
CT
Right now it is pretty much boxing, I am living that right now. I am putting all my energy into boxing.
BH
If you could send a message out to the fight world concerning Caleb Truax, what would that message be?
CT
Get ready for a big 2010, I am on the verge on breaking through, hopefully I can get on TV within my next few fights, so look out for me.
BH
Any message you would like to send out to your opponent Kerry Hope?
CT
Ah, it is going to be a great fight, I respect him, we got to know each other over a week, I am sure he has the same respect for me, we are going to go out there and put on a great show, and afterwards we will drink a pint, he is from Whales so they drink pints.
Benny Henderson Jr.
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