Ghana’s Ossie “Gladiator” Duran (28-11-2, 11 KOs) got his year off to a credible start with a draw against middleweight contender Caleb Truax (23-1-1, 14 KOs) on January 3 at the Target Center, Minnesota in the United States of America. (USA) The fight,an undercard to the Argensis Mendez vs Rancel Barthelemy was part of former heavyweight king Mike Tyson’s Iron Mike Productions.

Duran,a late substitute for Derek Ennis surprised Truax with his durability and willingness to fight after a slow start to the fight which saw Truax dominate with a steady jab and bodywork.

The veteran Ghanaian enjoyed a solid round four,with his jaband right hand consistently finding their target,leading to swelling and bloodying the nose of his opponent. Truax responded in the fifth with solid combinations to the body and subsequent rounds followed a similar trend with Truax starting well but Duran, a former SWAG award wiiner ending the rounds stronger. The 8th round was a swing round that had the best two way action since the 5th. The 9th round saw more uppercuts by Truax, both able to land their 1-2’s but Caleb seem to close out the last minute strong enough to steal the round.

The 10th and final round was a slugfest both combatants swinging for the fences landing bombs all the way until the final bell. Duran seem to land the bigger shots to win the last round. All three judges scored the fight a draw.

The fight was part of the former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson’s Iron Mike Productions and served as the main supporting bout to the year’s first Friday Night Fights series on ESPN.

The Mamprobi based Ossei Duran Fan Club has congratulated their hero and pray for more successes in the year and years to come.

Roger Amankwah leader of the fans said Ossei Duran is a very credible and matured boxer so he deserves not to lose. He thanked Iron Mike Tyson for giving the Ghanaian the opportunity and hoped that other Ghanaian boxers would shine in the USA and other places where they are domiciled.

Nii Gyata Sakamam Mankralo aka Joe Mingle a former sparring partner of Ossei Duran said boxing must be revived in Ghana.

He called on promoters in the country to come up with good fights to attract fans of the game.