Otto Wallin Returns In Impressive Fashion, Stops Travis Kauffman
Heading into the fight between Otto Wallin and Travis Kauffman, the storyline was that both heavyweights managed to get through cases of COVID-19 with no issues. Another factor that could have been talked about was the shoulder surgery done to Kauffman, as that played into the result of the clash between the two.
Inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, Wallin was able to beat Kauffman via TKO, by way of doctor stoppage. Wallin (21-1, 1 NC) was able to display his dominance in the ring and was able to outwork Kauffman (32-4, 1 NC).
Round one saw Kauffman run in right away as the aggressor. Wallin, however, would hit jabs to block his momentum. The jabs would be a theme of the night, as Wallin landed 61 of 195 jabs thrown. Kauffman tried going for combination shots, but Wallin would throw hooks and more jabs to the body and face of Kauffman. Wallin hit a body shot as Kauffman went for a left hook to end the round.
Going inside for the clinch, both fighters were hitting shots to the body. Jabs continued to reign down for Wallin, but he received a warning by the referee for grabbing at the neck. Wallin was able to avoid another warning following that.
To start round three, Kauffman hit a left hook and pushed Wallin up against the ropes. Wallin would eat shots to the body but now Kauffman was being warned. Coming back, Wallin would land hooks of his own, while Kauffman would land counter rights. Hooks would be a theme in round four, as Wallin would hit uppercuts as well. Moving away from the jab for a small period of time, Wallin was able to find his way. Kauffman would hit high and low shots, but that just forced Wallin to go back to the jab.
Round five is where it all went downhill for the tired Kauffman. Wallin would hit stiff jabs as something was clearly wrong with Kauffman. His hands down, Kauffman was then only able to lift one arm up. Wallin took advantage by hitting combination shots to the face. He would then land stiff body shots before going back to the head. The referee finally noticed something was wrong and stopped the fight.
.@OttoWallin wins via stoppage as Travis Kauffman suffers a left arm injury in the 5th. #WallinKauffman pic.twitter.com/14U6WiEMjk
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) August 16, 2020
This was Wallin’s first fight since taking Tyson Fury to the limit back in September. “All In” would force Fury to bleed above the eye, requiring 47 stitches after. Wallin lost via unanimous decision, but his profile increased following the bout.
Kauffman lost his second fight in a row in his first bout since 2018. This might be the last fight for Kauffman, as he stated he would retire if he lost two in a row.