Boxing in Minnesota, especially in Minneapolis, is becoming increasingly more like Las Vegas and Atlantic City as a championship venue. “It has develop into a outstanding and recognized venue in boxing,” said Showtime boxing host, Brian Custer, a few days before last Saturday’s eight-bout card at The Armory, which included two title fights. 

The historic constructing holds 8,400 people and has been hosting fights since 2018.  

Current super middleweight champion David Morrill, Jr., former world champions Caleb Truax and Jamal James, and VeShawn Owens all call it their home ring. Slink Proper (Sona Akale) and Andree Reid, Jr. hope in the future to fight there as well.  

“It’s a historical constructing and tons of boxing history,” said Truax, who lost in a majority decision to Burley Brooks last Saturday. “You may feel it. It’s one in every of the premier boxing venues within the country right away. It’s an awesome hidden gem in Minneapolis.”

Minnesota has a wealthy boxing history: Harris “The Black Pearl” Martin (1865-1903), was the primary world “coloured” middleweight champ who hailed from Minneapolis. A 2010 Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, he died at age 38 after suffering a heart attack while walking home from work. Arthur “Flash” Johnson fought here as a flyweight contender (1992-2003).

Traux, an Osseo native and University of Minnesota graduate, has been one in every of Minnesota’s most recognizable fighters since he turned pro in 2007, after winning the state USA Boxing, Region 1, and Upper Midwest Golden Gloves titles. He was the IBF super middleweight champ from 2017 to 2018.   

Now nearing 40 years old, Truax (31-6-2) is searching for yet another probability on the belt. “I don’t feel the age has caught up with me within the ring,” he told the MSR a few weeks before his scheduled fight last weekend. “I don’t feel I actually have lost any steps.”

Morrill, who defected from Cuba and got here to Minnesota a couple of years ago, said, “I believe Minnesota initially… It’s my second home,” he said in Spanish, as his brother translated in English. 

James held the WBA welterweight title from 2020 to 2021. He and the super lightweight Owens are stablemates on the Circle of Discipline boxing program.

St. Paul boxing promoter Quincy Caldwell, who owns and runs Coach Q Training in St. Paul, told reporters, including the MSR, during a June 14 open workout and news conference at Element Gym in St. Paul, “Minnesota boxing may be very underrated.”  

Each Truax and Proper admitted that finding suitable boxers to coach with may be difficult. “We don’t have the variety of fighters thaat they’ve in California,” noted the previous. “Truthfully, I’m at the extent where I can usher in guys to mimic styles after I’m fighting an opponent.”

Proper trained with Truax in preparation for his June 17 scheduled fight against Cameron Krael of Las Vegas, where he suffered his first defeat as a professional by TKO within the 6^th round. “The preparation was extremely intense,” stressed the St. Paul native, who record is now 7-1.

Reid, Jr. won his second pro fight on the identical card with Proper, a first-round knockout over Christopher Morrow, and is now 1-0-1. He first fought as a professional in March. 

“Irrespective of what platform I’m on…I’m an African American young man [age 26], who loves my family,” said Reid. “I like boxing. I’m promoting love, happiness, joy every time you see me.”

Caldwell said his most important goal as a boxing promoter is to offer fair opportunities for local fighters. “It’s nothing to do with ego for me,” he declared. “My goal is to offer fighters the opportunities to construct their careers.”