Kauffman Weighs 221,
Grano 218, for ShoBox Main Event Tonight
September 18, 2009
Santa Ynez, CA (Sept. 18, 2009) - Both
combatants for tonight's ShoBox: The New Generation heavyweight main
event appeared trim and ready for fireworks at today's weigh-in. Travis
Kauffman of Reading, PA, 18-0 (15 KO), weighed in at 221 pounds. In the
other corner, Tony Grano of Hebron, CT, 15-1-1 (12 KO), tipped the
scales at 218, his lightest since 2006. Both men will be fighting in
their first scheduled ten-round contest.
The fight will take place at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, CA
and will be televised live on the Showtime network, beginning at 11 p.m.
ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The show will be promoted by Gary
Shaw Productions.
Kauffman, age 24, spent the majority of training camp in Deer Lake, PA
at the legendary facility first popularized by Muhammad Ali more than 30
years ago. Among his many sparring partners were Matt Godfrey, Ring
Magazine's tenth ranked cruiserweight in the world. Kauffman was a
two-time national amateur champion with a record of 51-7.
This will be Kauffman's second appearance on ShoBox, the first coming
last December when he knocked out Malachy Farrell in three rounds, also
at the Chumash Casino. Kauffman stopped William Shahan in 80 seconds in
his last bout just over a month ago.
"I feel good," said Kauffman as he stepped off the scales. "The hard
part is the training; The fighting is the easy part. I'm not saying the
fight is going to be easy, but if I stick to my game plan and box I will
make it much less complicated."
Like Kauffman, the 28-year-old Grano was a decorated amateur as well,
winning the US National championship in 2005. Grano's only defeat came
against Mark Brown last September after scoring two early knockdowns.
Brown recovered to stop Grano in the eighth round. Grano's best win came
against Leroy Childs the fight prior to that when he knocked out the
13-1 fellow prospect in the opening round. Grano's last performance was
a workmanlike decision victory over trialhorse Jermell Barnes in
February.
"He's probably the heaviest puncher I fought but not the most skilled
fighter I've ever fought," Kauffman said. "He's coming to fight, not lay
down. I don't underestimate him at all. He's a fighter with two hands
just like me. He has one loss and doesn't want another but he's never
fought anybody like me."
Kauffman's father and trainer Marshall Kauffman feels this fight will
put the boxing world on notice and thrust his son into the sport's fast
track.
"Being in the main event on ShoBox means a lot. He can't go anywhere
else but up from here. Grano is tough, but he'll be too tough for his
own good."
Travis shares a similar confidence to his father. "Tune in tomorrow
night on Showtime. You're going to see the next heavyweight champion of
the world in action."
--
R. Christopher | Public Relations Coordinator
Boxing Buzz Media
Direct: 561.503.9948 | Email: boxingpublicity@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/boxingbuzzmedia
