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TRUAX DEFEATS KOLLE BY SPLIT DECISION
May 28TH, 2011

Photos and Story By Jesse Kelley

 

 

In a clash for the Minnesota State middleweight title, unbeaten Caleb Truax (18-0-1, 10 KOs) won a ten round split decision over Andy Kolle (23-3, 17 KOs) on Friday night at the Saint Paul Armory in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

The two in-state rivals promised a battle prior to stepping in the ring and each fighter kept their word, giving fight fans a back and forth slugfest for most of the fight.

Truax set the pace early by concentrating a good part of his attacks targeting the body of Kolle. It also seemed early on that Truax was the stronger fighter on the inside, having fought a good part of his bouts prior in the super middleweight division.

Kolle, fighting for the first time in nearly 7 months, found himself in an early hole, but began to claw his way back into the fight in the fourth behind his weapon of choice, a straight left down the pipe that began to land more and more frequently as the round progressed.

Truax went back downstairs by the sixth to swing the bout back his way while Kolle and his corner men continually pleaded with referee Mark Nelson to watch for low shots. Truax was also finding a permanent home for the right hand to the head as Kolle jabbed and tried to find a moment to counter with the left.

Truax seemed to slow however in the eighth round and the southpaw Kolle took advantage and rallied with one of his better rounds. Both fighters continued to take turns loading up down the stretch. A right to the body looked to shake Truax slightly in the 9th but he continued to walk through Kolle's best punches to land heavy head and body punches that began to swell the right eye of Kolle as the fight came to a close.

Scores were 96-94 for Kolle, and 96-94, 97-93 for Truax who takes Kolle's State title with the victory.

IBF #8 welterweight Said Ouali (28-3, 20 KOs) scored a third round stoppage of late sub Dumont Welliver (18-24-1, 6 KOs), who took the fight on short notice after Ouali’s original opponent Jhon Berrio was a no show.

Ouali showed off his hand speed early against Welliver, who is a tough but limited journeyman opponent and seemed to hold back on going for an early knockout in the opening round.

Ouali held nothing back in round two however, dropping Welliver with a hard right hand to the head. Welliver fought back after getting to his feet but was buzzed again by a left to the head at the bell.

The end came in the third after a barrage of unanswered punches dropped welliver to his knees in a corner. Referee Mark Nelson waived the fight off at :35.

Word of a possible showdown between Ouali and Kolle is circulating for a July date after Ouali expressed interest in facing the Minnesotan. Kolle and his team say they like the matchup and are open to negotiations following Kolle's return to his weight of choice, 154 lbs.

"Sir" Charles Meier (5-2) won a unanimous decision over Silas Ortley (4-9-1). Scores were 39-37 on all three cards. Ortley dictated the pace of the opening round with pressure and looping punches. Ortley would gas out pretty quick in the following rounds though as Meier took control of the fight. Meier went for the stoppage late in the fourth but was denied by his tough opponent.

Jake Backus (1-2) won a majority decision over Philip Adyaka (0-3) in a bantamweight bout. The bout saw good action from both speedy boxers. Backus let his hands go slightly more as Adyaka pressured with Angles while Backus countered. Scores read 38-38, and 39-37, 39-37 for Backus.

 

Heavyweight Aaron Green (3-0) knocked out Zak Jensen (0-2) at 1:13 of the 1st round. Jenson came out swinging and mixing it up with Green at the bell. Green settled the pace and began pumping a stiff jab followed by big head shots. Jensen was put down with a left to the head as he was doing his best to make it a brawl. Jensen was caught with huge combinations from Green moments later which I am still amazed he was able to take. The end came soon after as Jensen was dropped for a second time after more flush head shots at 1:13.

 

Mike Richman (1-0) stopped Bruce Johnson at 1:15 of the fourth round. It was the pro boxing debut of both MMA fighters and each fighter had moments of success. Richman began to settle in and find his rhythm after the opening round. Johnon was put down twice before the end of the bout came in the fourth.