Travis Kauffman

Travis Kauffman (born August 21, 1985) is an American heavyweight professional boxer. A professional competitor since 2006, his notable opponents include Luis Ortiz, Amir Mansour, and Chris Arreola.

Travis Kauffman
Statistics
Nickname(s)My Time
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach76 in (193 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1985-08-21) August 21, 1985
Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights37
Wins32
Wins by KO23
Losses4
No contests1

Background and amateur career

Kauffman was born and raised alongside his brother Jason, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Kauffman's father, Marshall, a former 7–1 amateur boxer who gave up a career to raise the boys, began training his sons from a young age. After taking some time off from the sport during his upbringing and being sent to local juvenile detention centers, Kauffman returned to an amateur career; at age 15 he won the Middle Atlantic tournament, then was selected for the 2001 junior Olympic team.[1] Despite his mother passing away just a week before he was scheduled to compete, Kauffman finished third. Unfortunately, he had also neglected to inform his probation officer he was leaving the country and was disciplined for this on his return. At age 17, Kauffman made it to the semifinals of the 2003 National Golden Gloves Super Heavyweight tournament, where he was defeated by 23-year-old Travis Walker. Upon graduating high school, Kauffman attended Northern Michigan University on a full scholarship to box, but left the school after two months and won gold at the 2004 Police Athletic League national tournament. In 2005, Kauffman was undefeated in international tournaments, which include a finals win over 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Vugar Alakbarov, in a fight in which Kauffman fought southpaw due to an ailing right wrist.[2] Kauffman also won a national silver medal in 2005.

Professional career

After compiling a 52–12 amateur record over four years and achieving the number one ranking, Kauffman made his professional debut in 2006. He won via second-round KO.

On December 5, 2008, Kauffman made his national TV debut with a third-round knockout (KO) of once-beaten Malachy Farrell (who outweighed Kauffman by 60 lb) on ShoBox: The New Generation. Kauffman followed up with a pair of early knockouts against clubfighters Cliff Couser and southpaw Livin Castillo.

In 2009, he was knocked out by Tony Grano. Kauffman asked Grano for a rematch but was turned down several times. He then fought Mike Miller, winning a shut-out unanimous decision (UD). Kauffman followed this up with a two-round knockout of Chris Koval and picked up the WBF intertitle.

This led to a promotional agreement with Empire Sports and Entertainment. Kauffman was released by Empire and then re-signed in 2012 with the same promoter using the name Greg Cohen Promotions.

Kauffman was then 21–1 with 16 KOs. On December 17, 2010, he fought Ross Thompson and won by DQ. He then fought Sean Williams, whom he knocked out in one round. Kauffman fought Charles Davis, winning a seven-round UD, as the fight was stopped due to rain. In February 2013, Kauffman vs Willie Perryman ended in a second-round knockout win that put Kauffman to 24–1, with 18 KOs. At that time, he was ranked 14th by the WBA.

Kauffman won an eight-round unanimous decision over Arron Lyons in August 2013. Then in September 2013 Kauffman beat Stacy Frazier in two short rounds, breaking Frazier's ribs, to move to 26–1, 19 KOs, and was ranked 10th by the WBA.

Kauffman fought Jason Barnett on November 30, 2013, breaking his ribs in the fight but earning a first-round knockout win and the WBU interim heavyweight title.

Kauffman took on Vincent Thompson on January 25, 2014, out-working him over ten rounds and winning the WBA federation title that became Kauffman's third minor belt. Kauffman is currently on a 10-fight win streak. Kauffman has started to work with trainer Nassim Richardson and has help from Al Cole, a former cruiserweight title holder.

A December 15, 2015 fight against world title challenger Chris Arreola was ruled a majority decision for Arreola but was later changed to no contest.[3] Kauffman and a significant number of media outlets felt he had won the fight.

At Santander Arena, in his hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania on September 9, 2016, Kauffman scored a second-round TKO over Josh Gormley.[4]

On March 17, 2017, Kauffman fought Amir Mansour in a Fight of the Year candidate, losing via split decision.

Kauffman then faced former interim WBA Heavyweight Champion Luis Ortiz, in his second fight since being handed his first professional defeat at the hands of Deontay Wilder. Kauffman was defeated via tenth-round TKO.

Personal life

Kauffman is a single father of three boys; Travis Jr., Christopher, and Jeremiah. Kauffman also adopted and raised two children who are now older, Julius and Neveah.[5]

Kauffman's father Marshall, who is also his trainer, also trained former world champion Kermit Cintron.

In 2004, Kauffman was arrested after selling marijuana to an undercover police officer.[6]

In 2008, Kauffman was charged with rape but was later acquitted,[6] and in 2015, he received two years' probation after pleading guilty to charges of resisting arrest.[6]

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
37 fights 32 wins 4 losses
By knockout 23 3
By decision 8 1
By disqualification 1 0
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
37 Loss 32–4 (1) Otto Wallin TKO 5 (10) 1:23 Aug 15, 2020 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
36 Loss 32–3 (1) Luis Ortiz TKO 10 (10), 1:55 Dec 1, 2018 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
35 Win 32–2 (1) Scott Alexander MD 10 Jun 10, 2018 Pioneer Event Center, Lancaster, California, U.S.
34 Loss 31–2 (1) Amir Mansour MD 12 Mar 17, 2017 Santander Arena, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
33 Win 31–1 (1) Josh Gormley TKO 2 (10) Sep 9, 2016 Santander Arena, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
32 ND 30–1 (1) Chris Arreola NC 12 Dec 12, 2015 AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Originally a split decision victory for Arreola; later changed to a no contest after he failed a drugs test
31 Win 30–1 Epifanio Mendoza KO 2 (8), 0:30 Sep 18, 2015 The Claridge Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30 Win 29–1 Richard Carmack TKO 1 (6), 2:47 Aug 14, 2015 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
29 Win 28–1 Vincent Thompson UD 10 Jan 25, 2014 Sands Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S. Won vacant WBF Intercontinental heavyweight title
20 Win 19–1 Mike Miller UD 6 Feb 27, 2010 Rodeway Inn, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
19 Loss 18–1 Tony Grano KO 4 (10) Sep 18, 2009 Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 William Shahan TKO 1 (8) Aug 7, 2009 Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Livin Castillo TKO 3 (8) May 30, 2009 Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Cliff Couser KO 1 (6) Feb 7, 2009 Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Ken Murphy KO 2 (6) Jan 16, 2009 Osage Million Dollar Elm. Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Malachy Farrell TKO 3 (8) Dec 5, 2008 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Josh Gutcher TKO 1 (8) Sep 13, 2008 Riveredge Hotel, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Travis Fulton TKO 2 (6) Jul 19, 2008 Civic Arena, Saint Joseph, Missouri, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Octavius Smith TKO 1 (4) Jun 26, 2008 Main Street Armory, Rochester, New York, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Dan Whetzel UD 8 Apr 19, 2007 Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Kevin Hood KO 2 (4) Mar 30, 2007 Phoenixville Area High School, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Joe Stofle TKO 3 (6) Mar 10, 2007 The Riveredge Hotel, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Allen Prescott KO 2 (6) Sep 9, 2006 Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 James McCloskey TKO 1 (4) Aug 12, 2006 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 David Cleage UD 6 May 12, 2006 Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Mike Miller UD 4 Mar 31, 2006 Lancaster Host Resort, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Robert Bell TKO 1 (4) Mar 18, 2006 Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Benny Bland KO 1 (4) Feb 17, 2006 Riveredge Restaurant, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jerome Boyer TKO 2 (4) Jan 26, 2006 Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.

References

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