Just north of Philadelphia in Reading, Pennsylvania’s boxing promoter Marshall Kauffman who keeps his boxers active though there is no live boxing in Pennsylvania at this time.
Philadelphia has been a very busy part of boxing thanks to promoter and IBHOF inductee J Russell Peltz of Peltz Boxing. He has now centered in on doing matchmaking for others at this present time.
The man now out of the eastern Pennsylvania area as a promoter is Marshall Kauffman. Since hooking up with being one of Al Haymon’s four promoters Kauffman has become one of the country’s most active promoters.
Kauffman works out of his native Reading and Houston, Texas. His son heavyweight Travis “My Time” Kauffman, 32-4 (23) is currently training in the Lone Star state at this time. Kauffman has some thirty boxers he has kept busy and in 2020 promoting four shows with two in Philadelphia, one in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, Connecticut.
A former amateur boxer, Kauffman has trained such world champions as Reading boxers WBA Super Middleweight Steve “Lightning” Little and IBF Welterweight champion Kermit “Killer” Cintron.
Kauffman started promoting as far back as 1994 in his hometown of Reading at the Riveredge Hotel. Other places in his home state were Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wyomissing, Sands Event Center in Bethlehem, Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Harrah’s Casino in Chester, Game Face Sports Complex, Temple, Genetti Manor in Dickson City, Zembo Shrine in Harrisburg, Econolodge, PPL Center and Rodeway Inn all in Allentown.
In 2015 Kauffman promoted events in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the Claridge Hotel & Casino, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in D.C., Rosecroft Raceway, in Ft. Washington, MD, and Sun National Bank Center, in Trenton, New Jersey.
In 2016 Kauffman promoted events in Florida at the Seminole Casino in Immokalee, later at the Pizzando Lobo, Ft. Myers, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood and Lakelands Event Center. Also, he promoted at the Trump Taj Mahal, New Jersey. In July of that year he had an event at the large (former Sovereign Center) Santander Arena, in Reading. It was a big difference from starting a club show at Riveredge in the same city. Other out of state events promoted at the Crystal City Hilton, Crystal City, Virginia, Turning Stone Resort & Casino, in Verona, New York.
In 2017 Kauffman promoted his first event in Houston at the Silver Street Studio and later at the Arabia Shrine Center. In Philadelphia he promoted events at SugarHouse Casino, 2300 Arena, and the Liacouras Center (Temple U.). In all, he has promoted 126 events.
Over the years Kauffman has been associated with over forty boxers. Some of his current boxers are super bantam Raeese “The Beast” Aleem, 17-0 (11), super middle Antowyan Aikens, 13-7-1 (1), super bantam Marcus Bates, 11-2-1 (8), super feather Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner, 9-1 (6), super welter Tyrone “Young Gun” Brunson, 28-8-2 (25), Tyrone Crawley, 7-1 (0), super feather Frank DeAlba, 23-5-2 (9), super middle Devar “Jengawar” Ferhadi, 8-0 (7), welter Janelson Bocachica, 15-0 (10), feather Isaelin Florian, 7-1 (3), welter Mykal “The Professor” Fox, 22-2 (5), super middle Kalvin “Hot Sauce” Henderson, 12-0-1 (8), feather Martino “Titan” Jules, 10-0 (2), super welter James Martin, 6-1 (0), super light Naim Nelson, 14-4 (1), super light Greg “Sharpshooter” Outlaw, 8-0 (3), heavyweight Michael Polite Coffie, 10-0 (7), super middle Brandon “Brob” Robinson, 15-2 (10), Jonathan “Torres” Rodriguez, 8-1 (3), super welter Erik Spring, 13-4-2 (1), welter Marquis Taylor, 11-1-1 (10), feather Carol “pote” Vidal, 16-0 (15), super middle Khainell Wheeler, 4-0 (4), and feather Anvar Yunusov, 8-1 (4).
Working with Kauffman are Andrew Foy and Cathy Lebron. Kauffman agreed to answer some of the following questions:
KEN HISSNER: Let’s start with your son Travis who you trained before turning it over to Philly’s Naazim Richardson some four fights ago, who recently passed away, who if not you will be training him now?
MARSHALL KAUFFMAN: I trained him for his last fight and I will also be training him until he completely walks away from boxing.
KEN HISSNER: What in your opinion is the outlook in the City of Brotherly Love without cable TV at this time to promote an event?
MARSHALL KAUFFMAN: It is very tough to promote a show with all of the protocols that are required due to covid 19
KEN HISSNER: What boxers are currently scheduled to fight that you promote at this time?
MARSHALL KAUFFMAN: Oct. 7th. on Shobox will be Janelson Boccochica and then Nov. 4th. is Atif Oberlton making his pro debut and then Nov. 7th. I will have 6’8″ Heavyweight Steven Torres who is also trained by Travis Kauffman fight as well as Michael Polite Coffie fighting Nov. 7th.
KEN HISSNER: You have worked with two world champions out of your hometown of Reading in Steve Little and Kermit Cintron. In Cintron’s case one of your boxers Tyron Brunson fought him a war. Do you find it with the current situation in boxing it’s a must to have your boxers fighting one another for other promoters to keep them active?
MARSHALL KAUFFMAN: Yes I believe that it is very important that they fight each other as was the case with Raeese Aleem and Marcus Bates.
KEN HISSNER: I see Andrew Foy has joined you in recent years. What is his position with King’s Promotions along with a good friend of mine Cathy Lebron?
MARSHALL KAUFFMAN: Andrew bought into KP 2yrs ago and he has been the reason behind signing Alycia Baumgardner and I think that he has helped KP tremendously in many different ways. Cathy has been with me since 2016 since I did my first show in Trenton and she over sees the social media aspect of promoting our fighters and most importantly she is a good friend. I also want to mention Ashley Butts who has also been helping out over the last year as well with finding sponsors. I also must mention the real boss of KP which is my wife of 25yrs Bobbie Kauffman who helps keep me grounded through her many prayers and support of what I do.
KEN HISSNER: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans pertaining to the current situation in boxing and the pandemic?
MARSHALL KAUFFMAN: Yes just be patient and please continue to follow us on social media as we will be back stronger than ever and to keep your eye on the last 6 boxers that we recently signed.
KEN HISSNER: I want to congratulate you for your induction into the PAB HOF this year and taking the time from your busy schedule to answer these questions.
MARSHALL KAUFFMAN: Thank you and I mean thank you for continuing to push for my name to be a part of it and now I am cannot wait until it officially becomes official.