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Reading Eagle, Pa., Boxing Notes Column: Kauffman Set for 2nd Pro Bout

Posted on: Friday, 17 February 2006, 09:00 CST

By Don Stewart, Reading Eagle, Pa.

Feb. 17--Three weeks ago, Travis Kauffman entered his pro debut with a proverbial anvil in his stomach. It didn't matter who was standing in front of him. The fact that he was in a professional fight, sans headgear, was enough to make him nervous, as if he were in his first day at a new job. Kauffman got rocked a couple of times in the first round, but he bounced back to overcome Jerome Boyer, and his nerves, via second-round TKO. The 20-year-old heavyweight prospect expects to be much looser tonight when he faces Ohio's Robert Bell (2-1) in a four-round preliminary bout at the Riveredge, Route 183, Bern Township. "I gotta look at that as this is my job," Kauffman said. "When you go to work, are you nervous? I can't be nervous for my job. This what I get paid for, this is what I live for. "I had the jitters for my first fight. I don't think that's going to happen again." Kauffman used the time in between fights to polish his jab and work on his conditioning. He expects to step into the ring at 235. He was 242 against Boyer. Back in early December, he'd been up to 268. Kauffman admits he doesn't know much about Bell. At this stage in his career, when fighters tend to focus on personal development while building their records, that's not surprising. "I know he's a human being and he's going after the same thing that I'm after," he said. "Come Friday night (tonight), it's just going to be the hungrier man, whoever is hungrier. I believe I'm hungrier and I'm in better shape." If things go well, Kauffman will face an opponent to be named March 18 on the undercard of the Hasim Rahman-James Toney heavyweight fight in Atlantic City, N.J. Though Kauffman's bout won't be televised, it still will be a great chance to get some exposure. Kauffman said he's feeling no pressure to look impressive tonight or March 18. "My main thing is to win, regardless of whether it's looking good, being sloppy," Kauffman said. "I just want to win. Winning is going to take me to the top, not looking good. "It's not pressure. I just want to go out there and do my best. Every time, I want to be my best." Lightning strikes : Phoenixville's "Lightning" Harry Yorgey has fought all over eastern Pennsylvania during his three-year career, but tonight will mark his first pro bout in Reading. Yorgey (11-0, 5 KOs) is scheduled to face Terry Johnson ( 5- 11-1) in a six-round junior middleweight co-feature. He hasn't fought since October, when he was cut during a majority decision win against Douglas Esbenshaden that aired on CN8. Johnson is coming off a second-round technical draw against Israeli prospect Ishmail Arvin, who was 13-0-1 entering their Nov. 10 matchup. Riveredge card update : Poland's Przemyslaw Saleta (42-7), a heavyweight promoted by Don King, will appear in a six-round co-feature against Ed Perry (6-2-1) tonight at the Riveredge. Saleta is trying to bounce back after losing three of his last four fights, including a fourth-round knockout loss to Oliver McCall in the fall. Reading welterweight Keenan Collins (8-1-1, 7 KOs) is scheduled to face Calvin Shakir (7-5) in the main event of the seven-bout card. Two undercard fights, including a female bout, were scratched.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Reading Eagle, Pa.

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Source: Reading Eagle

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