Pro Boxing Returns to The Armory December 17 with a World Title Eliminator and the Much-Anticipated Return of Minnesota Fan Favorite Caleb Truax

Another big night of professional boxing is coming to Minneapolis on Saturday, Dec. 17, as The Amory hosts a world title eliminator and the ring return of Minnesota boxer and former world super middleweight champion “Golden” Caleb Truax. 

Coming on the heels of Minneapolis boxer David Morrell Jr.’s successful defense of his WBA super middleweight title at The Armory, the upcoming event features a compelling clash of unbeaten 135-pounders.

Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera (24-0, 14 KOs) will take on Derrick James-trained Frank “The Ghost” Martin (16-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round lightweight title eliminator in the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast. The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Also featured on the card is Truax (31-5-2, 19 KOs), who will return to action for the first time in nearly two years. Facing an opponent to be named later, Truax says he looks forward to putting on a good show for the hometown fans at The Armory.

“I’m excited,” Truax said. “I am 39 years old. I have two or three more fights left in me and I want my career to end at The Armory. It is a fantastic venue and I want to finish my career at home and in front of all my fans, who have supported me for two decades.”

A hugely popular fighter in his home state, Truax will step through the ropes for the third time at The Armory, one of boxing’s preferred venues. Previously at The Armory, he stopped Fabiano Pena in August 2018 and had a no-decision against Peter Quillin in April 2019.

Truax says he’s ready for the opportunity.

“I am always working out. I spar once a week and run three times a week. I’m in the gym three, four times a week and always working out and ready to go. Now that I have a date on the calendar, I’ll ramp things up,” Truax said. 

Truax, an avid fight fan and student of the game, is looking forward to the main event, as well.

“That’s a really good fight,” he said. “Both guys are undefeated. I have been really impressed with Martin. Really good fighter, sharp guy. Rivera — I saw him fight live at The Armory — is sharp as well. A good fight for the Showtime main event.”

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and now fighting out of Miami, Florida, Rivera burst onto the scene in 2019, making his United States debut with a victory over Rene Tellez Giron. The 24-year-old continued his ascent with five more victories in 2020 and 2021 including knockouts of Jon Fernandez and Anthony Mercado. Most recently, he outboxed Jerry Perez earning a unanimous decision victory in October after dominating the previously unbeaten Joseph Adorno on his way to a unanimous decision in March.

The 27-year-old Martin ascended the lightweight rankings in 2021 with a pair of impressive victories before delivering a New Year’s Day KO over Romero Duno. In 2021, Martin knocked out the previously unbeaten Perez in a dominating performance in April, before earning a unanimous decision over Ryan Kielczweski in August. He showed the full complement of his skills that have made him one of the most talked about up-and-comers in the 135-pound division in his last outing in July, as he delivered a methodical destruction on his way to stopping Jackson Mariñez in the 10th and final round. Originally from Indianapolis, Ind., Martin now trains in the Dallas area under the guidance of James alongside his promoter, unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

Additional details about the card will be announced later.