Travis Kauffman
Encyclopedia
Travis Kauffman is an American heavyweight boxer nicknamed "The Great White Hope". His current record is 21-1 (16 KO).
"My dad and I are so much alike, it is tough at times working together because we clash every now and then but he is pretty much always right", said Kauffman. "I love my father, he taught me everything I know and he will always be in my corner."
In 1995, following the death of his beloved grandmother Travis quit boxing. Kauffman began getting in trouble and became a frequent visitor to the local juvenile detention centers. His run-ins with local troublemakers led to a severe beating at the hands of a group of thugs. This would prove to be a pivotal turning point in his life.
One of the kids who jumped him was a boxer and Travis vowed to get back at all of them, one by one. Around that time his father was hosting the regional Golden Gloves
and told his son that one of the kids who jumped him was entering the tournament. Travis entered the regional tournament, fighting and beating the kid to exact his revenge.
Afterwards he continued to box, winning the Middle Atlantic tournament at 15. He was also picked to go to the 2001 Junior Olympics.
Tragedy struck Travis on June 7, 2001 when his mother died one week before the tournament was to begin. Travis was devastated but insisted on winning the Junior Olympics for his mother but placed third.
Unfortunately, when he returned home after the Junior Olympics, he was arrested for failure to inform his probation officer that he was out of town. While in juvenile detention center, he made a choice that boxing was his calling in life. Upon his release he moved into the open class of the amateurs.
At age 17 he made it to the 2003 National Golden Gloves, reaching the semifinals only to lose to the 23-year-old Travis Walker
. Walker went on to win the tournament, scoring all of his wins by knockout except for the close fight with Travis.
Kauffman received a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University
for boxing, but after 2 months he realized the boxing program wasn't for him. At the time he was ranked number 3 in the USA Boxing rankings in the Open class. He was gaining valuable experience fighting the best amateurs from all over the world.
One of his brightest moments came in 2004 when he won a Gold Medal at the Police Athletic League
Nationals among others scoring an :18 knockout against Nagy Aguilera
.
In 2005 he was undefeated in international tournaments, winning the gold medal at the Jose Cheo' Aponte tournament in Puerto Rico and the USA -vs- Azerbaijan duel where he faced off with 2000 Olympic middleweight bronze medalist Vugar Alakbarov. Nursing an ailing right wrist, Kauffman fought the entire fight as a southpaw to great effect. Kauffman won every round on the scorecards.
Afterwards he felt his time in the amateurs was over and decided to pursue the glories of professional boxing. In only four years of competition, Kauffman compiled a 52-12 record and was ranked number one in the country.
and southpaw Livin Castillo. In 2009 he was KOd by Tony Grano
. Kauffman asked Grano for a rematch, but was turned down several times. He then fought Mike Miller winning a shutout unanimous decision. Then he knocked out Ohio's hard-punching Chris Koval in a two-round destruction. He has recently signed a promotional agreement with The Empire Sports and Entertainment and will fight a tune up June 26, 2010 and then on ESPN2 main event against former Olympian Devin Vargas. Kauffman is now 21-1 with 16 KOs. on December 17th 2010 travis fought ross thompson and won by DQ after ross wrestled and cursed at the ref for rounds the ref had enough travis did land some solid punches that ross wanted no part of so found a way out. TRAVIS fights may 21st 2011 vs tba in reading penn.
Growing Up
Travis Kauffman was raised by his father Marshall, a self-employed single parent of two boys. Marshall Kauffman had a short boxing career, consisting of 7 amateur fights and 1 pro fight, but was forced to give up boxing to focus on his business and take care of his two sons."My dad and I are so much alike, it is tough at times working together because we clash every now and then but he is pretty much always right", said Kauffman. "I love my father, he taught me everything I know and he will always be in my corner."
Amateur career
When Travis was nine, his father opened KING's Gym (Kids In Need of Guidance) with the intent to keep inner city youth out of trouble. Travis would go to the gym and mess around, which eventually led to his first amateur fight at 9 years old against his brother Jason. Although the fight was considered an exhibition, this was his introduction to competitive boxing. He and his brother went on to fight 5 or 6 times after that.In 1995, following the death of his beloved grandmother Travis quit boxing. Kauffman began getting in trouble and became a frequent visitor to the local juvenile detention centers. His run-ins with local troublemakers led to a severe beating at the hands of a group of thugs. This would prove to be a pivotal turning point in his life.
One of the kids who jumped him was a boxer and Travis vowed to get back at all of them, one by one. Around that time his father was hosting the regional Golden Gloves
Golden Gloves
The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States. The Golden Gloves is often the term used to refer to the National Golden Gloves competition, but it also can represent several other amateur tournaments, including regional golden gloves...
and told his son that one of the kids who jumped him was entering the tournament. Travis entered the regional tournament, fighting and beating the kid to exact his revenge.
Afterwards he continued to box, winning the Middle Atlantic tournament at 15. He was also picked to go to the 2001 Junior Olympics.
Tragedy struck Travis on June 7, 2001 when his mother died one week before the tournament was to begin. Travis was devastated but insisted on winning the Junior Olympics for his mother but placed third.
Unfortunately, when he returned home after the Junior Olympics, he was arrested for failure to inform his probation officer that he was out of town. While in juvenile detention center, he made a choice that boxing was his calling in life. Upon his release he moved into the open class of the amateurs.
At age 17 he made it to the 2003 National Golden Gloves, reaching the semifinals only to lose to the 23-year-old Travis Walker
Travis Walker
Travis Walker, born June 22, 1979 in Tallahassee, Florida, is an American boxer who was an amateur star and is currently a heavyweight prospect.-Amateur:...
. Walker went on to win the tournament, scoring all of his wins by knockout except for the close fight with Travis.
Kauffman received a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is a four-year college public university established in 1899 located in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With a population of nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Northern Michigan University is the Upper Peninsula's largest...
for boxing, but after 2 months he realized the boxing program wasn't for him. At the time he was ranked number 3 in the USA Boxing rankings in the Open class. He was gaining valuable experience fighting the best amateurs from all over the world.
One of his brightest moments came in 2004 when he won a Gold Medal at the Police Athletic League
Police Athletic League
The Police Athletic League is an organization in many American police departments in which members of the police force coach young people, both boys and girls, in sports, and help with homework and other school-related activities. The purpose is to build character, help strengthen police-community...
Nationals among others scoring an :18 knockout against Nagy Aguilera
Nagy Aguilera
Nagy Aguilera De La Rosa is a Dominican professional boxer in the Heavyweight division.-Professional career:Nagy Aguilera gained notoriety when he knocked out former WBC Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev in the first round on December 11, 2009 in what was considered a major upset...
.
In 2005 he was undefeated in international tournaments, winning the gold medal at the Jose Cheo' Aponte tournament in Puerto Rico and the USA -vs- Azerbaijan duel where he faced off with 2000 Olympic middleweight bronze medalist Vugar Alakbarov. Nursing an ailing right wrist, Kauffman fought the entire fight as a southpaw to great effect. Kauffman won every round on the scorecards.
Afterwards he felt his time in the amateurs was over and decided to pursue the glories of professional boxing. In only four years of competition, Kauffman compiled a 52-12 record and was ranked number one in the country.
Professional career
Kauffman made his pro debut in 2006. On December 5, 2008, Kauffman made his national TV debut with a third round knockout of once-beaten Malachy Farrell on ShoBox: The Next Generation. Kauffman followed that performance up with a pair of early knockouts against clubfighters Cliff CouserCliff Couser
Clifford Couser is a heavyweight boxer. Nicknamed "The Black Bull" and often "Twin Tyson" for his resemblance to Mike Tyson, Couser fought several contenders from his era...
and southpaw Livin Castillo. In 2009 he was KOd by Tony Grano
Tony Grano
Antonio "Tony" Grano is an American heavyweight boxer. He was the US amateur heavyweight champion in 2005.- Amateur highlights :2005* National Golden Gloves Heavyweight competition...
. Kauffman asked Grano for a rematch, but was turned down several times. He then fought Mike Miller winning a shutout unanimous decision. Then he knocked out Ohio's hard-punching Chris Koval in a two-round destruction. He has recently signed a promotional agreement with The Empire Sports and Entertainment and will fight a tune up June 26, 2010 and then on ESPN2 main event against former Olympian Devin Vargas. Kauffman is now 21-1 with 16 KOs. on December 17th 2010 travis fought ross thompson and won by DQ after ross wrestled and cursed at the ref for rounds the ref had enough travis did land some solid punches that ross wanted no part of so found a way out. TRAVIS fights may 21st 2011 vs tba in reading penn.
Personal life
Away from the ring Travis is a father of four—two biological sons Travis Jr. and Christian Anthony, as well as two stepchildren Julius and Nevaeh Torres.External links
- Video Clip of Amateur Highlights http://www.spike.com/video/2688420?cmpnid=783&pt=bk&refsite=10636
- Seconds Out article
- 'The Great White Hope' Travis Kauffman 2007 interview with Rich Bergeron