Highly-regarded American heavyweight hopeful Travis Kauffman of Reading, PA. is recovering from his second consecutive surgery to correct a fracture in his right hand. The surgery took place this past Thursday and will sideline the 26-year-old for the next few months, leaving him unable to compete on King’s Promotions “Heavyweight Explosion” card at the Rodeway Inn in Allentown, PA on Saturday, February 25.
Kauffman (22-1, 17 KO), will have screws in his hand for the next 4-6 weeks, followed by physical therapy. He was advised by Dr. Culp of the Philadelphia Hand Institute that he won’t be able to punch for the next 3 months, but should be able to return to the ring before the end of the June after fighting just once in 2011.
“It’s frustrating because I’ve had to turn down fights against guys that I know I can beat because of the injury,” said Kauffman. “On the bright side, I’m healthy other than my hand and get to spend time with my family without worrying about leaving to go to training camp. I’m 26 years old and have time on my side.” I will be back stronger than ever with a hunger and a good hand to show that I am the next great American Heavyweight.
“Heavyweight Explosion” will be headlined by crowd favorite William “Big Stuff” Miranda (4-4-1) of Allentown in a six-round contest against battle-tested David Williams (6-5-1, 2 KO) of Philadelphia.
In the six-round co-featured bout, junior middleweight Keenan Collins (13-7-2, 9 KO) of Reading, PA will face Julio Cesar Lanza (7-17-6, 1 KO) of Managua, Nicaragua. Collins, a native of York, PA, is looking to get back on track after a competitive decision loss to world-ranked Philadelphian Gabriel Rosado.
Also on the card, undefeated welterweight Grayson Blake (4-0, 1 KO) of State College, PA will meet Corey Preston (1-7) from North Carolina in a four-round bout. The 29-year-old Blake was a former national amateur standout and was a member of the Pennsylvania State University boxing team.
In other action, heavyweight Eric Newell (3-1,1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA will face debuting Randy Easton, plus junior lightweight Frank Santos De Alba (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Reading, PA meets Corey White (1-3, 1 KO) from Ohio in a four-round bout.
Rounding out the card is a four-round junior welterweight clash between Cesar Gonzalez (0-1-2) of Reading, PA against Osahon Omo-Osagie (0-1-1) in a four-round rematch of their draw last May.
Tickets are priced at $65 (VIP), $50 (Ringside) and $35 (General Admission), and can be purchased at the Rodeway Inn(610-398-1629), King’s Boxing (610-587-5950), at Lehigh Valley Isshin Ryu Karate (484-554-8804) or online at eventbrite.com. Doors open at 6PM and first fight is at 7PM. For more information, visit www.kingsboxing.com
The Rodeway Inn is located at 1151 Bulldog Drive (at Routes 22 & 309) in Allentown, PA.
