Espn2 Friday Night Fights kicks off the season from Minneapolis at the Target Center
By Chris Carlson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 03 Jan 2014
The season premiere of Espn2?s Friday Night Fights will begin in sub zero degree weather at the Target Center from Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the main event IBF Super Featherweight Champion Argenis Mendez takes on unbeaten challenger Rances Barthalemy and serving as the co-feature is local attraction Caleb Truax squaring off with tough as nails Ossie Duran. The event is promoted by Iron Mike Productions, Seconds Out Promotions, and Warrior Boxing.
Both fighters in the main event fought a common opponent in Arash Usamanee last year. Both had close fights with Usamanee, Barthalemy escaping with a narrow win on points although some thought he loss, and Mendez in his last fight battled to a draw but many thought Argenis deserved to have his hand raised.
Mendez is no stranger to controversial decisions after feeling he was robbed in the past fighting in his opponent?s backyard in Mexico and Colorado. Mendez has recently stated in many interviews that he will do his best not to leave it in the hands of the judges.
At the press conference and weigh in Mike Tyson stole the show with his celebrity status. Also in attendance was rising trainer John David Jackson who used to train Barthalemy before signing on to become co-head coach for Iron Mike Productions, Jackson will now be in the opposite corner working with Argenis Mendez.
Local favorite Caleb Truax made a splash the last time he fought on the Friday Night Fights broadcast in June by knocking out the sturdy and more experienced Don George, improving his ranking and raising his profile in the process. After receiving calls from Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions about future options Truax stayed busy scoring a 4th round KO over his local rival Cerresso Fort in September.
Originally Caleb was scheduled to fight Derek Ennis before Ennis pulled out with a rib injury forcing the rough and tumble Ossie Duran to step in on 3 week?s notice. Duran is known for his toughness proving to be a hard matchup for many high profile names including a great brawl against than hot prospect James Kirkland and a split decision loss to Brandon Gonzales.
Tony Grygelko, C.E.O. of Seconds Out Promotions and Truax have their eyes on the prize but will be patient in 2014 waiting for the right place at the right time for a title shot or an opportunity on a bigger network.
Also fighting on the undercard under the Iron Mike Productions umbrella will be prospects Dennis Galarza and Erickson Lubin.
Tickets are available at the Target Center?s Box Office, online at AXS.com or by calling 888-929-7849 and are priced at $35, $65, $100, $150, and $250. Doors open at 6pm, first bell at 7pm, Espn Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will go live at 9 ET on Espn2, WatchESPN, and ESPN Deportes plus.
Written by Chris Carlson Owner and Host of Rope A Dope Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio
Follow Chris on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio & http://ropeadoperadio.wordpress.com/
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino IM Bagamasbad prevails
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024DC girl’s futsal in Palawan now
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu is ready to face challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Dante Kirkman Secures First Career Knockout with 3rd Round TKO Victory
Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino Middleweight Star Blazen Rocili Set to Return to the Ring This Saturday in San Antonio, TX
Thu, 21 Nov 2024Stallone hands Donald Trump WBC world champion belt
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 21 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Garma beats Lithuanian Grandmaster
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 Nov 2024Saturday: Bakary Samake-Wade Ryan & Elwin Soto-Moisés Caro Headline Separate Fight Cards Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Thu, 21 Nov 2024TrillerTV Launches Exclusive Black Friday Deal: 50% Off TrillerTV+ Annual Pass for Year-Round Sports Entertainment
Thu, 21 Nov 2024New NCFP Regional Coordinator
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 Nov 2024DC netters are now ready for BP
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 21 Nov 2024