Tonight at 9:00 pm EST on ESPN2 and ESPN (at WatchESPN.com), Friday Night Fights returns from its slumber for the new 2014 season, kicking off with a world title main event from the Target Center in Minneapolis.
In that main event, IBF super featherweight titlist Argenis Mendez (21-2-1, 11 KO) will defend against unbeaten Cuban Rances Barthelemy (19-0, 12 KO). Both men should be familiar to FNF regulars, and those same folks may note that Barthelemy's unbeaten tag is a bit overrated, as he was very lucky to get a decision in the FNF opener last January 4, beating Arash Usmanee. In Mendez's last fight, he went to a draw with Usmanee.
The co-feature tonight will see Minnesota favorite Caleb Truax (23-1-1, 14 KO) face veteran Ossie Duran (28-11-2, 11 KO) in a 10-round super middleweight bout. Truax was originally set to face Derek Ennis, but he pulled out and the tough Duran was given the call.
We'll be here with live coverage as we kick off the 2014 boxing year.