Barthelemy Stops Sakkreerin In Two; Truax Bombs George

Rances Barthelemy is now the mandatory challenger to 130 lb. titlist Argenis Mendez after scoring a 2nd round knockout of Thailand's Fahsai Sakkreerin in their ESPN2-televised main event Friday evening at the Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Five months after escaping with a controversial points win to remain unbeaten, Barthelemy left no doubt in this title eliminator. A body shot produced a delayed reaction knockdown, forcing Sakkreerin to the canvas where he remained for the full ten count.

Barthelemy improves to 19-0 (12KO). Sakkreerin falls to 39-4-1 (21KO) and remains winless in two trips outside of his native Thailand. 

In the televised co-feature, Caleb Truax gave his hometown crowd plenty of reason to cheer, scoring his biggest career win to date with a sixth round knockout of Don 'Da Bomb' George.

Truax literally came out swinging in the opening round, unloading on George to take control and never look back. George never managed to adjust, as he was outfought in every round before eating a fight-ending overhand right to put him down and out. 

With the highlight-reel knockout, Truax advanves to 22-1-1 (13KO). He has now won four straight since his lone loss to Jermain Taylor last April. 

George is now at a dangerous place in his career. The 28-year old Chicagoan falls to 24-4-2 (21KO), with just two wins among his past six fights. A disputed draw versus David Lopez this past March was viewed by most as a win for George, but the three losses have all been decisive, including two knockout defeats within a span of eight months.

With time to kill, a pair of rookie middleweights made their way to the telecast. Four rounds later, Kenn Glenn remained unbeaten after pitching a shutout over local newcomer Gavin Quinn. Scores were 40-36 across the board for Glenn, a former MMA fighter who now advances to 3-0 (1KO). Quinn's record evens up at 1-1 (0KO). 

The opening bout of the telecast saw former amateur standout Adrian Martinez win his pro debut, escaping with a majority decision over Leonard Overstreet. Matching scores of 39-37 overruled the 38-38 tally on the third card in the entertaining four-round curtain raiser.