Heavyweight prospect Travis Kauffman wasn't always a fighter. Around age nine his father, Marshall, urged him to take up boxing, which he did for about a year. Kauffman then gave up the sport for a few years, when fate intervened.
"In ninth grade, I got jumped by 10 kids, and I heard one of them boxed," Kauffman said. "I wanted to get them back one by one, so I started going to the gym again."
And so it was that at 15 years old Travis Kauffman began an amateur career that would eventually bestow him success and a profession.
Kauffman compiled a 56-12 record while on his way to becoming America's best super heavyweight. With good showings at 2003 national Golden Gloves, a victory at the 2004 national PAL championships and an undefeated record in international competition in 2005, Kauffman elected to turn pro last January.
"I think I have more of a pro-style," he said, adding that a world championship has been his foremost goal since he began seriously taking up the sport.
But, the man they call "G.W. Hope" is not unaware of his potential marketability.
"Once people see I'm a white heavyweight, it turns their heads. But when they see that I can really fight, and I got some skills, that'll really make them look," he said.
Being a white heavyweight with plenty of talent and power in both hands, the Kauffman camp has entertained management offers from some big names, including Shelly Finkel and current manager Jim Fannin, who also works with Alex Rodriguez and Randy Johnson among others. They are currently in the negotiating stage with Top Rank.
Under the direction of his father Marshall, who once trained Kermit Cintron, the 6'3", 235 pound Kauffman has won all six of his fights this year, four by knockout. His best experience, however, has come in the gym.
Fighting on the undercard of his last two fights, Kauffman spent eight weeks in camp with former champion Hasim Rahman as he prepared for his rematch with Oleg Maskaev.
Rahman later said that Kauffman was his most capable sparring partner. While the former champ didn't fare so well in his fight, Kauffman registered a first round knockout of James McCloskey.
Despite the immense well of power Kauffman considers himself a boxer first, puncher second.
"When I was in camp with Rahman I was working on my speed," he said. "I like to box. I don't consider myself a big puncher. It might be a boring fight, but I can adjust to anyone.
"I switch up a lot, depending on what the other guy is doing. I can fight orthodox or southpaw," Kauffman added.
"My father taught me because a lot of guys, especially overseas, don't like fighting southpaws. I believe I'm a bigger puncher southpaw, but a better boxer orthodox. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel comfortable either way."
Kauffman's development continues Saturday night as he squares off against Allen Prescott (2-1) in front of his hometown fans in Reading, PA.
"I love fighting in my hometown," he said. "I'm usually fighting everywhere else, so they don't get to see me very much."
Kauffman expects to fight twice more before the year is out. With his schedule as busy as it is he admits that it's not always easy.
"I got to stay in shape. It's hard to always continue training, but this is what I do. This is my job, and I need to support my family."
For the 22-year-old Kauffman, it's a growing family. Just three months ago, he brought home Travis Jr., which to date, is the only thing that has pulled Kauffman's attention away from boxing.
Like many boxers, Travis doesn't want to see his son follow in dad's footsteps.
"I don't want to force him to box. I hope I can make enough money that he won't have to fight."
But born at ten pounds and eleven ounces, it looks like Travis Jr. might be filling dad's shoes sooner than later.
Contact Aaron King at aking1@ithaca.edu
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