Sometimes the stars align so perfectly a man knows beforehand a favorable outcome awaits. Call it premonition, hope or simply confidence but Caleb Truax had a positive feeling approaching his December 9, 2017 bout against James DeGale in England.

The fight was scheduled at the Cooper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the International Boxing Federation world Super Middleweight title.

Truax was brimming with confidence. “It was a good style matchup,’’ he recalled, “and he was coming off almost a year-long rest.’’

Motivation and need played roles as well.

“I was in a tough spot financially, and I was motivated to get a win for my family,’’ Truax said.

He and his girlfriend, Michelle, have a two-and-one-half year old daughter, Michelle, and Truax was looking for a payday to assist the three of them.

Shift back to Cooper Box Arena and the night of the fight. DeGale won the first round, but Truax went to his corner satisfied nonetheless. He remembered thinking that the fight was going his way, that he was fighting his fight and not DeGale’s.

Then in the fifth round, Truax felt his confidence soar. “I hurt him bad, almost knocked him out,’’ he said. “After that I was brimming with confidence and I sealed the deal.’’

There was still an obstacle to overcome, the fact that he was fighting in the champion’s backyard. “I thought I had done enough to win like a 9-3 type fight,’’ Truax said.

Then the first scorecard was announced – a draw, and Truax experienced a sinking feeling. “I got nervous,’’ he recalled. “Please don’t rob me, ‘’ I thought.

Watching film of the succeeding announcement, a person doesn’t need the sound turned on to know the result.

Immediately after the second scorecard was announced, Truax began pumping his fists in the air. He was about to be declared a world champion, the first such champion from Minnesota since

Will Grigsby, a Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame inductee.

Boxing is a huge sport in the British Isles and everywhere Truax went in the days following the bout he encountered people who recognized him. “I had a lot of people coming up and wanting to take pictures with me,’’ he said, “or offering to buy me drinks.’’

The celebration continued when he arrived home, back in Minnesota. There was an organized party at the Lupulin Brewing Company in Big Lake, his sponsor.

It was a time of celebration of achievement and an important paycheck for his family.

Truax held the title until his rematch with DeGale at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, last April 7. DeGale reclaimed the crown for himself and his legions of disappointed, even angry fans in the United Kingdom, with a unanimous decision, ending Truax’s short reign.The Osseo native was disappointed with his effort in the return fight. “I didn’t have my best performance, which is disappointing,’’ he said. A win would have set him up for a lucrative payday against whomever he chose to fight next, a payday perhaps that would have given him a financial foundation for life.

Now, he will take a step back and hope for another opportunity.

“I just have to move on and hopefully get a third shot,’’ Truax said. “If not against DeGale then maybe someone else.’’

Truax learned one of the harsh realities about the toughest of sports, that life at the top can be a tenuous place. Yet, he has been there, has won a world title, and for that the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame recognizes him as its Fighter of the Year with the fondest hope of more success to come.