JASON BARNETT STEPS IN FOR MANUEL QUEZADA TO FACE TRAVIS KAUFFMAN THIS SATURDAY NIGHT IN READING, PA.
PRESS CONFERENCE AND WEIGH IN FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE CROWNE PLAZA IN WYOMISSING AT 5PM
Reading, PA (November 26, 2013)–This Saturday night at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA, WBA number-ten ranked Heavyweight Travis Kauffman (26-1, 19 KO’s) will now fight Jason Barnett in the 10 round main event for the WBU Intercontinental Heavyweight championship.
Kauffman was originally due to fight Manuel Quezada but Quezada failed to supply the proper paperwork and Barnett was summoned for this title opportunity.
“After it was apparent that Quezada would not be able to make the fight, we looked for good suitable replacements. We put calls into Derrick Rossy, Epifanio Mendoza and Bowie Topou but Barnett was the only guy willing to take the fight.”, said Kings Promotions Marshall Kauffman
Barnett of Clearwater, Florida has a record of 14-14 with 7 wins coming by knockout.
He holds wins over John Poore (21-3); Eric Leander (8-0) and has won two in a row with his latest win being a 3rd round stoppage over Terrance Marbra on September 14, 2012.
In a six round Jr. Lightweight bout, Frankie De Alba (9-1-2, 3 KO’s) of Reading, PA takes on Osnel Charles (9-7-1, 1 KO) of Atlantic City, NJ
In a six round Welterweight bout, Rafael Montalvo (3-4, 3 KO’s) of St. Claire, PA battles Evencii Dixon (2-3, 1 KO) of Lancaster, PA.
In four round bouts:
Randy Easton (0-2-1) of Williamsport, PA takes on pro debuting Carmelo Marrero of Allentown, PA in a Heavyweight bout.
Travis Thompson (4-11-2, 3 KO’s) of Pottstown, PA will fight Emil Rodriguez (0-3) of Allentown, PA in a Lightweight bout.
Khalib “Big Foot” Whitmore (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA squares off with Mark Baltimore (1-2, 1 KO) of Raleigh, NC in a Lightweight bout.
In a Featherweight bout, Wilfredo Morales of the Bronx will make his pro debut against Jesus Gonzalez (1-3, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA.
On Friday, there will be a press conference that will be followed by the weigh-in at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wyomissing, PA that will begin at 5pm
Tickets are priced $100, $75, $50 and $35 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or call 610 587-5950.
Kings Boxing would like to thank: Reading Eagle, GMI First, Empire Surplus, Ran’s Flooring, The Crowne Plaza and Dino’s Wings & Things.
READING, PA (November 20, 2013)—On Saturday night November 30th at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA, WBA Number 10 ranked Travis Kauffman will take on Manuel Quezada in a ten round bout for the WBU Intercontinental championship.
That will be one of two title fights that night, which is promoted by Kings Promotions.
Kauffman, 26-1 with 19 knockouts has a lot on the line that night, as not only will he fighting in front of his hometown fans but he knows he just a couple of fights away from a major fight.
This will be Kauffman’s 3rd in just over three months and he believes he is just not getting back into the shape he wants to be in.
“I just been training hard and getting ready for November 30th”, said Kauffman.
“I haven’t stopped training since I fought Arron Lyons on August 23rd. I haven’t gone up in weight and I am in the peak of my career and I know I have to work hard.”
He knows that he will have to be in great shape to take on the battle tested Quezada of Wasco, California, who has a record of 29-7 with 18 knockouts.
“I know he is a tough Mexican, “continued Kauffman. “It says on his record that he has been off for over two years but I know he has been fighting MMA so I know he is in good shape. He has been in with tougher guys then I have so I know he brings great experience especially after giving Chris Arreola some trouble for ten rounds as well knocking out Travis Walker in one round. He is no slouch and I know I have to beat him to get to the next level and it will prepare me as I every fight will be tougher.”
A win will most certainly will elevate Kauffman into a big fight and he feels at age 28 he is ready for that opportunity.
“If I get that opportunity, I will jump at it. Even if I have to go to Europe to fight Dereck Chisora, Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin or Tyson Fury but 1st things first, I have to worry about Quezada.”
This will be Kauffman’s first fight in his hometown in 3 ½ years and he feels that time is right now for him to make the Heavyweight statement.
“I have changed my life around. I have 5 kids (3 biological) to look out for. I haven’t been staying at home but I am close enough to see my family whenever I have to. The kids can be a distraction but they are my biggest motivation. This is a new me and by me working very hard that will be the difference on November 30th.”
In the main event on November 30th, Middleweight Harry Joe Yorgey of Bridgeport, PA (27-2-1, 12 KO’s) takes on Lee Mertagh (33-15-1, 1 KO) of Leeds, England in a 12 round bout.
Keenan Collins (15-8-3, 10 KO’s) will fight George Sosa (12-4, 12 KO’s) for the UBF Intercontinental Jr. Middleweight title that is scheduled for eight rounds.
Frankie De Alba (9-1-2, 3 KO’s) of Reading, PA will battle Osnel Charles (9-7-1, 1 KO) of Atlantic City, NJ in a six round Super Featherweight tussle.
In four round bouts:
Wilfredo Morales of Brooklyn, NY will make his pro debut against Jesus Gonzalez (1-3) of Allentownm PA in a Featherweight bout.
Randy Easton (0-2-1) of Williamsport, PA will square off with pro debuting former UFC Fighter Carmelo Marrero (PD) in a Heavyweight bout.
Emil Rodriguez (0-3) of Miami, FL will box Travis Thompson (4-11-2, 3 KO’s)) of Pottstown, PA in a Jr. Welterweight bout.
Tickets are priced $100, $75, $50 and $35. Tables of 8 cost $750 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or call 610 587-5950.
Kings Boxing would like to thank: Reading Eagle, GMI First, Empire Surplus, Ran’s Flooring, The Crowne Plaza and Dino’s Wings & Things.
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
