PRO BOXING RETURNS TO HISTORIC MINNEAPOLIS ARMORY AUG. 24 IN A NATIONALLY TELEVISED EVENT

Minneapolis, MN ( July 17, 2018) – World-ranked local boxers Jamal “Shango” James and “Golden” Caleb Truax will return to the ring on Aug. 24 as Premier Boxing Champions with broadcast partners FS1 and FOX Deportes present a nationally televised night of boxing at the historic Armory, Minnesota’s premiere boxing venue.

Few if any local boxing cards in the last 30 years can match the Minnesota star power that will step into the ring on Aug. 24. Both James and Truax look to move up the ranks and improve their positions as world championship contenders. With its rich boxing tradition, the Armory is a fitting venue for the event.

James, of Minneapolis, boasts a 23-1 record and is ranked No. 3 in the welterweight division by the World Boxing Association. Riding a three-fight winning streak against world-class opponents, the 6’ 2” boxer-puncher hopes to continue his winning ways and earn a world title opportunity – a goal that’s within his long and powerful reach.

No opponent has been named yet for James, but the Minneapolis fighter said he’s ready for all comers.

“My focus is on my training and my conditioning, not who my next opponent is going to be,” James said.

In his most recent fight on April 13, James put on an exciting show for thousands of cheering fans at the Armory. The atmosphere was electric. Much to the delight of the hometown crowd, he dug deep for a majority decision win over tough Abel Ramos of Arizona.

“My debut at the Armory was exhilarating. What a fabulous hometown venue. Best night ever in the ring. My last bout served as a national wake-up call to the boxing world – Jamal James is a contender, ready to fight the next man up,” James said.

Truax, of Osseo, returns to the squared circle for the first time since April 7, when he lost his IBF Super Middleweight title in a close decision to former champion James DeGale of England. Truax stunned the boxing world in December by taking the championship from DeGale in the British fighter’s hometown of London.

Truax, 29-4-2, became a local fan favorite on his rise to the top. This will be his first fight in Minnesota since August 2017 and his first in Minneapolis since January 2014, when he battled Ossie Duran to a draw in the main event of a nationally televised card.

Making his Armory debut, Truax will face the upset-minded Fabiano “Pit Bull” Pena of Brazil. A battle-tested veteran, Pena has been in the ring with world-class boxers such as Blake Caparello (27-3-1), Jose Uzcategui (27-2), and Joe Smith Jr. (24-2).

With a win, Truax would be right back in the conversation for another big fight – and a chance to become a two-time world champion.

The April 13 event marked the first professional boxing card at the Minneapolis Armory since 1973. 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.

The weigh in for the Aug. 24 card is set for Aug. 23, time to be determined, at the General’s Hall in the Armory

Tickets for the Aug. 24 card go on sale this Friday, July 20 at 12 NOON. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.ArmoryMN.com or http://www.ticketmaster.com.