On Friday night, Osseo's Caleb Truax and Duluth's Andy Kolle battled for the Minnesota's Middleweight Championship, a belt that belonged to Kolle entering the fight.

But he didn't keep it.

Truax earned a split decision victory (96-94, 94-96, 97-93) at the St. Paul Armory to capture the state boxing title.

The matchup was the brawl most expected. Kolle controlled the first three rounds with a straight left hand. Truax used combos to even the bout over the next three. But Kolle appeared to control the late rounds, although Truax landed harder punches.

The Star Tribune scored the fight 97-93 for Kolle.

In the co-main event, Said Ouali (28-3, 20 KO's) earned a third-round TKO victory over Dumont Welliver. Ouali, a Las Vegas fighter, is trained by Roger Mayweather, who also trains prizefighter Floyd Mayweather Jr. Roger Mayweather watched ringside as his fighter overwhelmed his opponent.

The knockout of the night went to Minneapolis native Aaron Green, who flattened Zach Jensen in the first round with a right hand for a TKO.

MYRON P. MEDCALF