READING, PA – Undefeated heavyweight prospect Travis Kauffman will headline his first televised boxing event on September 18 when he faces Tony Grano on Shobox: The New Generation at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, CA. The bout will be Kauffman’s first scheduled ten-round bout. The show will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and televised live on the Showtime network, beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) .
Kauffman, 18-0 (15 KO), of Reading, PA made short work of his last opponent earlier this month, knocking out William Shahan in 80 seconds in Primm, NV. He has knocked out his last eight opponents with none of them lasting past the third round. He immediately returned to training camp in Deer Lake, PA, to prepare for his next assignment. There he turned 24 years old this past Friday and celebrated with an arduous roadwork session.
Kauffman has been sparring eight rounds and intends on stepping up to ten in the coming days. Among the sparring partners Kauffman has been working with is Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, the IBF’s number three rated contender in the cruiserweight division.
“This is a blessing,” Kauffman says of returning to television for the first time since stopping Malachy Farrell last December, also on ShoBox. “When you first start boxing, you never think you’re going to make it to this level. I remember starting out as the opening fight on club shows, then headlining club shows, then being the first bout on big shows. Now I’m headlining on TV and the only place to go next is up.”
Grano, aged 28, brings a high knockout ratio to the table as well, with 12 of his 15 wins coming inside the distance against one defeat and a draw. The Hartford, CT native is most noted for winning the heavyweight gold in the 2005 United States Amateur Heavyweight championships.
“I know him from the amateurs,” Kauffman says. “He’s very tough and has a lot of experience. He comes to fight and I don’t expect this fight to be easy at all. It’s scheduled for ten rounds but I’ll be ready for 20 rounds.”
The show will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and televised live on the Showtime network, beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)
Tickets, priced at $25, $35, $45, $55 and $75, can be purchased at the Chumash Casino Resort box office or online at http://www5.ticketingcentral.com/V2/PickASection.aspx?8CBF3E94B35BD2F