Boxing’s Best of 2017: A year-end review of the world of boxing

Comeback fighter of the year: Caleb Truax

Caleb Truax has been a fringe contender for the last five years. He’s always been regarded as a solid boxer, but most never had him pegged as being a future champion. That changed in 2017.

The only boxing title that Truax held before 2017 was the Minnesota state title. He was knocked out by Daniel Jacobs in a WBA middleweight title bout in 2015. His last loss came in April of 2016 when he was knocked out by Anthony Dirrell in round one. It looked like Truax was on his way to being a journeyman.

He put together a couple of wins after the Dirrell loss and was lucky to land an IBF title bout against James DeGale this December. Truax was supposed to be an easy win for DeGale.

DeGale was coming off of an 11-month layoff due to injury. He fought Badou Jack to a draw in January and retained his IBF super middleweight title, but he suffered a lot of damage in the process.

DeGale had several teeth knocked out in the DeGale fight, and he also sustained serious damage to his right shoulder. Before his fight with Truax, DeGale told The Telegraph, “I feel like The Six Million Dollar Man, completely rebuilt, and you’ll see the difference against Truax.”

Against Truax, it looked like DeGale was still reeling from the damage he took against Jack. Truax pushed DeGale around the ring all night. DeGale had his moments, but Truax was the more durable fighter and he forced the action. He transformed from a stepping stone to a champion in one night.

Against all odds at the age of 34, Caleb Truax is finally a legitimate world champion.