A former pugilist himself, Marshall Kauffman didn't quite capture attention of the big time promoters in his abbreviated career. Since then, he has channeled that once never ending bundle of energy to training his own fighters and provide a venue in which they can hone their skills and master the "sweet science". We caught up with the Marshall Kauffman, head trainer of KINGs Gym in Reading, Pennsylvania, for a few words about his gym, the fighters and his plans for the future. |
|
| DW:For quite some time you've been an active voice in the city if Reading continuously promoting the health, safety and well being of it's inhabitants. So what prompted you to open KINGs. Gym? |
| MK:My initial concern was for the kids in the city. Providing them a positive outlet for that pent up energy along with an opportunity to keep inner city kids off the streets and offer some guidance. Hence the acronym: Kids In Need of Guidance. |
|
| DW:So you boxed for a little while and then started training fighters. What made you switch form fighter to trainer? |
| MK:Yes. I started boxing in 1983, it was after I made a few bad choices unfortunately, and ended up in jail. I did nine months in Berks County Prison in 1984, got out and made my pro debut in 1985 at 160 pounds. The same class as Marvelous Marvin Hagler, GREATEST middleweight of all time! |
|
| DW:For quite some time the Southeastern Pennsylvania boxing circuit has considered you as a trainer with a stable of "opponents". Now that you have an up and coming welterweight in Kermit "Killer" Cintron, what do you think their take is on Marshall Kauffman now? |
| MK:There is no question in my mind that they know that I am a quality trainer who produces quality fighters. Kermit (Cintron) is the first top-notch fighter that I've produced, but I also had Bobby Heath, Jose "Chito" Aponte, and Craig Tomlinson, along with Julian "Mr. K.O." Letterlough. I also offered technical assistance to the late former middleweight champion and Reading native, Steve Little. Not to mention a bunch of amateurs who have made a name for themselves on the national and collegiate levels. |
|
| DW:Who else do you have in the gym? |
| MK:I have Jeremy Stauffer who is (3-0 3KO's), Dat Nguyen (1-0 1KO) who I just turned pro , Julian Letterlough, (20-5-3 19KO's) and have been working with Tarvis Simms(17-0 9 KO's), who fights Jamil Wilson from Philly at 160lbs. on ESPN May 28th. There are also several amateurs that I hope to groom into the professional ranks before too long, one being my son Travis Kauffman. |
|
| DW:Kermit just made quick work of a very game Elio Ortiz. What are your plans with Kermit moving forward? |
| MK:It's time to shoot for the big time with Kermit. He has an impressive record, great knockout power and he's very humble in his approach. We're hoping to sign a contract with Zab Judah or Cory Spinks. Since the welterweight division is wide open right now, we'll fight anyone out there. |
|
| DW:How did you get hooked up with Tarvis Simms? |
| MK:He came from Connecticut. His manager knew me so we checked him out to see what he could do. He saw how Joe and I worked with Kermit, Joe his conditioning coach and myself as the trainer and he liked our work so he came down. |
|
| DW:Do you see a title shot in the not so distant future for Kermit? |
| MK:Without a doubt! In the next two fights we should be ready for a title shot. I think the WBO has him at #2 and the IBF has him at #3 or #4. So yeah, we're on our way to a title shot. |
|
| DW:So tell me. What's a day in the life of Marshall Kauffman like? |
| MK:I'm usually up early, at around six or so. In the office at 7. I check out a few boxing websites to keep up with the latest news. I make a few phone calls and then I go back to the shop, (Marshall owns an upholstery business) to do some work until 4:30. The gym opens at 4:30 and I start training. |
|
| DW:Where do you see KINGs Gym 5 years from now? |
| MK:Where do you see KINGs Gym 5 years from now?Five years from now I see KINGs gym will have the same feel as Kronk in Detroit. It'll be the gym that produces heavy hitters, guys that can punch! That's what Kronk is known for and that's what will be KINGs hallmark as well! Ideally I would like a bigger gym with about ten trainers or so and a strong stable of professionals and amateurs. You know, so we can learn from one another. I mean showers, lockers nice weights the whole nine. |
|
| DW:Are you thinking of taking on any more fighters? |
| MK:Oh yeah! Definitely! I'm all for it! I had some guy from Florida call the other day and inquire about the gym. I don't know how he heard of the gym but oh well. |
|
| Marshall had these words of encouragement for the aspiring: You just have to keep plugging away, keep climbing those stairs! You might think that no one notices you and the progress that you have made, but they do. A few years ago I had two solid amateurs, Jimmy Rivera and Dirk Weaver who could hold their own against anyone I put them in the ring with. Bobby Heath was my stand out pro when I first started and he had a lion's heart too. They made different choices and didn't follow the fight game to the end, but we learned a lot from each other inside and outside of the gym. We're still close and I love them the same. The key to the boxing game is consistency. That's what gets you there. You have to have a positive attitude about it through thick and thin, Then everything else will fall in place. Marshall can be contacted at Kings Gym (610)-375-4915 |
|
|
|
