Heavyweight Travis Kauffman (32-4, 23 KOs) announced he is retiring from boxing. Just days ahead of his 35th birthday, Kauffman re-tore his left labrum at the start of the fifth round against Otto Wallin on Saturday night. He was fighting for the first time in five years and seven fights without his trainer Naazim Richardson, who died unexpectedly last month.
“I tore my left labrum getting ready for the [Luis] Ortiz fight,” Kauffman said. “Like a dummy, I waited five months to have surgery on it after the Ortiz fight [December of 2018]. I started feeling better and was going to do a tune-up fight in March, but then COVID happened. This opportunity came up and I didn’t want to pass it up and I felt good. In the first round I hurt it. I felt it, but then it went away and I thought maybe it’s just my mind and it went away. Then in the fifth round I heard it and that was it. It was torn again.
“I’m done. I’m retiring. I have kids. I’ve been doing this a long time,” Kauffman said.
Best of luck to him and congrats for a respectable boxing career.
About time ! Went into the Ortiz fight with an injury and now aggravating the repaired shoulder. His body is telling him it’s time, rather like David Haye.
Shame about the shoulder injury. He should have immediately stopped fighting in the 5th when it went out and his corner should have thrown in the towel but they didn’t. Wallin looked very sharp.
No surprise here. Lagging injuries and limited mobilities during the fight did nothing for Kauffman except put him in harm’s way. His health is far more important than boxing for longevity.
He was probably better than he’s given credit for and it’s always sad to see guys like this retire. I think it’s the right thing though and wish him and his family nothing but the best.