Controversy surrounds Kauffman's first defeat

Controversy surrounds Kauffman's first defeat
Mark E. Ortega
Special to Reading Eagle
September 20, 2009

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. - Reading native and Exeter grad Travis Kauffman suffered the first loss of his professional career via fourth-round knockout at the hands of Tony Grano in an exciting heavyweight contest that featured lots of back and forth action Friday night at the Chumash Hotel and Casino.

Kauffman (18-1, 15 KOs) was controlling the fight up until there was about a minute left in the fourth when Grano (16-1-1, 13 KOs) was able to land a few serious overhand rights that stunned the previously undefeated fighter.

Once Kauffman was badly hurt, he elected to try and duck punches instead of holding on. Kauffman moved straight back while he was against the ropes and hit his head on the front of a camera that was being held on the apron.

On top of that, there were a few other controversial moments that may have helped Grano recover when he was badly hurt earlier in the round.

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