Travis Kauffman believes he is very close to realizing his goal to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world.
In order for that to be realized, he must not stumble this Friday night when he takes on Josh Gormley as part of the undercard of a championship doubleheader at the Santander Arena in Kaufman’s hometown of Reading, Penn.
The card, which has been dubbed the biggest fight card in Reading, will be televised live on Spike TV, will be headlined by Daniel Jacobs defending the WBA Middleweight championship in a rematch against former junior middleweight titlist Sergio Mora. In the televised co-feature, undefeated lightweights Robert Easter Jr. and Richard Commey vie for the vacant IBF Lightweight title.
Kauffman (30-1, 22 KO’s), who has been training in Reading for this fight. knows he can’t slip up against the hard punching Gormley.
“Training has been good and we have been working hard,” said Kauffman.
“Despite what people may think, there is no added pressure fighting at home. It is just another day at the office. When I am in the ring, I just block the crowd out and I am just trying to look good.”
In Gormley, he taking on an opponent has a record of 22-5 with 21 knockouts and Kauffman is not taken him lightly.
“Gormley is a big guy and a big puncher. Any guy who is over 200 pounds, you have to take seriously and I do not underestimate anybody.”
Kauffman feels that a good performance should put him on the short-list for a world title shot in the next year.
“We are hoping in the beginning of 2017 that we can get a title shot. The ultimate goal is to be champion of the world. I know a lot of fighters think its about the money, but in order to make that money, you have to be champion.”
Kauffman may have already received that coveted title shot had he been awarded the decision in his December 12, 2015 bout with Chris Arreola.
In that bout, Kauffman dropped Arreola and most people who watched the fight ringside and on television believed Kauffman should have been given the decision. But Arreola got the majority nod, but later tested positive in a post fight drug test and the bout was ruled a no-contest. Arreola subsequently got a July 16th title shot, but was stopped by WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
“I can’t dwell on that fight. It is behind me. Chris is a friend, but he didn’t take advantage of the opportunity. That was yesterday and I am only looking forward to my future.”
The selection Gormley has it’s purpose as he stands 6’5″ and Kauffman sees this as a rehearsal for bigger fights down the line.
“This is a stay busy fight, but he is dangerous. He is a tall guy and when you look at all the champions, Wilder, Joshua, Fury, they are all very tall men. If I can’t get one of them next, I want someone in the top-ten. I want to fight the best. Everyone is avoiding Luis Ortiz, I would love to fight him. Anthony Joshua, Artur Szpilka. I need fights like that because it will prove to everyone that I belong at the top of the division,but first things first. I have to be cautious of Gormley’s power.”
Kauffman, who has very good boxing skills, has a different mindset for his future fights.
“I learned in that fight, that I can’t leave anything to the judges. The way my trainer Naazim Richardson trains his fighters, they really make them believe in themselves. Friday night, I am not looking past Gormley, I am looking through him, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me.”
