Osseo native Caleb Truax has perhaps the biggest bout of his life tonight when he takes on former undisputed middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor (televised on Showtime, card starts at 10 p.m.). Truax (photo from 2011) is 18-0-1 as a pro; we wrote about him in 2007 for the NOTC shortly before his pro career was about to begin. At the time, he probably couldn't have guessed where he would be now. Here is a look back at that via the archives:

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Caleb Truax's real introduction to professional boxing will come
next month when he is featured on the undercard of an April 6 event at Target Center.

But Truax, an Osseo native who will be making his pro debut that night against an undetermined opponent, is already getting face time in bars and restaurants across the Twin Cities - on video ads above urinals, arranged by his promoter, Tony Grygelko.

"I've had like four people call me and say, `Hey, I just saw you when I was going to the bathroom,'" Truax said.

He laughs about it - a good sign he doesn't mind some of the extras that come with turning pro, even if that decision wasn't one he was hoping to make quite so soon.

Truax, 23, fought as an amateur for the past 2- 1/2 years. Recently, however, it was discovered that before his career began, Truax fought in a toughman competition in Coon Rapids. Though he received no compensation for participating, it was determined that he should no longer be considered an amateur. He said he appealed to USA Boxing, but he found out last month the ruling was final.

"Someone ratted on me, basically," Truax said. "It was very frustrating because I feel like everyone in the Minnesota boxing community wanted me to stay an amateur. It hit me pretty hard when they told me I couldn't."

Truax was considering a run at the 2008 Olympics; instead, he's trying to adjust his master plan. As a boxer, he said he feels as though he has the complete package - speed, power and stamina - needed to be a successful pro.

Grygelko adds one more quality. "Work ethic is a skill champions have," he said. " Caleb has a really strong work ethic."

Truax used it in order to get through college while also advancing his boxing career. He started at Virginia State, where he also played football, before transferring to Minnesota for his final 3- 1/2 years. Truax graduated in December, having majored in sociology with minors in political science and African-American Studies.

A reporter couldn't help but notice those aren't credentials you find on the resumes of many boxers.

"I think about that when I'm outside the ring," Truax said, "but when I'm in the ring, I don't think I'm smarter than the other guy just because I have an education. He might be a better boxer. But I think I have something to offer as a breath of fresh air. I'm a boxer who went to school, stayed out of trouble and is still a good athlete."

He wants to continue on to graduate school to study public policy, but that's temporarily on hold.

"I want to give boxing a whirl for a little while and see where it takes me," Truax said.