Truax vs. DeGale Fight Preview

LAS VEGAS -- The co-feature for the April 7 fight between Jarrett Hurd and Erislandy Lara on Showtime will be a rematch between Caleb Truax (29-3-2, 18 KOs) and James DeGale (23-2-1, 14 KOs).  In their first fight Truax went to DeGale's backyard and scored the upset victory, bringing DeGale's IBF super middleweight title back to the States.  This time around DeGale will look to take his title back. 

Truax working the body of James DeGale

Truax's win over DeGale shocked many fans who were used to seeing him lose his big fights to the likes of Anthony Dirrell, Daniel Jacobs, and Jermain Taylor.  Truax is a 34-year-old orthodox fighter who has a solid right hand and likes to work the body with his left hook.  Against DeGale he was aggressive and did a nice job of keeping DeGale on the ropes where he could do damage.

At this stage of his career Truax wasn't supposed to win a world title.  He had never had a true marquee win on his resume and he was thought of more as a tough gatekeeper when he stepped in the ring with DeGale.  If Truax can once again beat DeGale it will legitimize his first victory and give him a rare late career boost.

DeGale built his career in the U.K. and before falling to Truax his only other loss had been at the hands of George Groves.  Along the way DeGale scored impressive victories over Andre Dirrell, Lucian Bute, and Rogelio Medina but did turn in a frustrating draw against Badou Jack.  Certainly DeGale had hoped to secure a rematch with Jack but any of those plans came to a halt when he was upset by Truax.

DeGale sticking Caleb Truax with a jab

DeGale is actually two years younger than Truax and he fights out of the southpaw stance.  The U.K. fighter has a quick jab and he moves better in the ring than Truax does.  His biggest punch is probably his left hand and he is a nice mix of aggressor and boxer.  In his first fight with Truax, DeGale let Truax play the role of aggressor and he paid the price for it.

If DeGale wants to change the outcome in his rematch against Truax he needs to stay off the ropes.  DeGale never fares well when he stays on the ropes and he did that far too much in the first fight.  This time around DeGale needs to use his legs better and control the action with his skilled jab.  For Truax all he needs to do is repeat.  He found success in the first fight by being aggressive, keeping DeGale on the ropes, and working the body.  Not making any adjustments could be a mistake for Truax but if it isn't broke he might not want to fix it.

PREDICTION: In their first fight Caleb Truax turned in a career performance, capturing his first world title.  Yet, even though it was a career performance he only won via majority decision so it was a close fight.  This time around it won't be so close as James DeGale will make the proper adjustments and win this fight with a close by clear unanimous decision.