Burley Brooks probably ended Caleb Truax’s career Saturday night.

Dallas’ Brooks upset the former IBF super middleweight champion by unanimous decision in their 10-round light heavyweight fight at The Armory in Minneapolis. Much to the displeasure of Truax’s fans from his home state, judges Brian Cosgrove (98-91), Raymundo Perez (96-93) and Ludy Webster (96-93) scored their fight for Brooks on the Carlos Adames-Julian Williams undercard.

The 39-year-old Truax (31-6-2, 19 KOs, 1 NC), of nearby Osseo, Minnesota, fought for the first time in almost 29 months, but the taller, younger Brooks took control in the second half of their bout and ruined Truax’s return to the ring. Truax hadn’t boxed before Brooks beat him since another former IBF super middleweight champ, Caleb Plant, outpointed him unanimously in their 12-rounder in January 2021 at Shrine Auditorium & Exposition Hall in Los Angeles.

Brooks (6-2-1, 5 KOs) also ended a very long layoff. Before Saturday night, he hadn’t boxed since settling for a six-round split draw with Cameron Rivera (10-7-4, 6 KOs) in August 2021 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Fans chanted Truax’s name during the 10th and final round, when an obviously tired Truax had difficulty keeping Brooks off of him.

A five-punch combination by Brooks was effective when Truax was backed into the ropes with about 1:50 remaining in their fight. Brooks continued to control the action until the final bell sounded.

Truax landed a short, right uppercut just before the midway mark of the ninth round. Referee Mark Nelson deducted a point from Brooks with 1:49 to go in the ninth round because Brooks’ mouthpiece came out for the fourth time in their fight.

Brooks connected with a left to Truax’s body just after the halfway point of the eighth round.  

A right-left-right combination by Brooks landed with just over 30 seconds on the clock in the seventh round. Truax’s right hand snapped back Brooks’ head with a little less than 1:40 to go in the seventh round.

Truax backed Brooks into the ropes and landed a right hand with 1:20 to go in the sixth round. Truax caught Brooks with a right uppercut about five seconds later.

Brooks landed a left to Truax’s body barely 40 seconds into the sixth round and quickly followed up with a left hook to Truax’s head.

Brooks threw more punches again in the fifth round, but Truax backed him up at times in those three minutes. Brooks’ body work was a factor in the fifth round as well.

Brooks was more active and accurate throughout the fourth round. Nelson warned Brooks for a low blow with about 20 seconds on the clock in the fourth round.

Brooks’ multi-punch combination was effective with just under 40 seconds to go in the third round. Truax clipped Brooks with a right uppercut when there was just over a minute remaining in the third round.

Truax’s left-right combination to Brooks’ body made Brooks hold him with just under 20 seconds on the clock in the second round. Truax snuck in a right uppercut while they worked inside 1:05 into the second round.

Truax was the aggressor for much of the first round. He blasted Brooks with a right hand that connected with about 15 seconds remaining in it.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.