XFE: Large Boxing Crowd Loves Rumble in Reading
XFE and Kings Promotions delivered a night of electric boxing action to the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania right before the clock struck midnight to end November.
“The fights were just phenomenal. And when the fighters get energy behind them from all of these fans, they just want to fight harder.
“Boxing has been around forever and it’s going to be around forever,” XFE Owner and President Dave Feldman said immediately after the ‘Reading Rumble’ ended.
Six matches were seen after an impressive two-card youth exhibition was held. The boisterous crowd was ready from the first bell in anticipation of the co-main event fights that featured two local boxers.
Engaging undercard action
Fight 1 – Heavyweight: Randy Easton defeated William Monroe by TKO, 43 seconds into the first round of this contest. Easton’s impressive strength proved too much for the bulky Monroe to overcome.
Fight 2 – Light Heavyweight: Khalib ‘Bigfoot’ Whitmore defeated Mark Baltimore by TKO, 2:34 into the first round. The charismatic Whitmore entered the ring in full 1970s’ regalia, reaffirming that showmanship leverages every wanting crowd. Baltimore stood for as long as he could, but Whitmore’s fists proved that personality wasn’t his only strength.
Fight 3 – Lightweight: Travis Thompson and Emil Rodriguez fought to a four-round draw, which the crowd openly disagreed with. Thompson appeared to land more decisive blows throughout the contest, but the judges’ expertise created the final call.
Fight 4 – Welterweight: Evincii Dixon won a split-decision over Rafael Montalvo after a full six rounds played out. A mix of technical strategy, combined with extended bursts of furious exchanges, pushed the crowd to its feet on numerous occasions. Dixon earned the victory, though Montalvo’s valiant efforts were well-received.
Co-main event results
Junior Lightweight: Reading native Frank Santos De Alba TKO’d Osnel Charles 57 seconds into the fourth round. Osnel, who had been knocked down in the second and third rounds, traded an exceptional amount of blows with Santos De Alba throughout this grueling brawl that boosted an already energized audience.
Heavyweight Championship: Travis Kauffman‘s devastating victory over Jason Barnett 2:09 into the first round of the scheduled 10-round title fight, offered clear evidence as to why this local man ranks with the Top 10 boxers in the world. His clear victory secured the World Boxing Union’s Intercontinental heavyweight championship.
Barnett, who had his ribs broken during the demolition, earned everyone’s respect earlier in the week when he replaced Kauffman’s original opponent Manuel Quezada. That fighter had to be removed from the card because he missed a paperwork deadline.
Kauffaman (28) has been fighting for 14 years and it shows. This polished professional fully maintains the potential for further success.
After he stepped out of the ring Kauffman was embraced by legions of fans on the arena floor. With the WBU championship belt hanging over his left shoulder he said, “It’s an honor to win in my hometown in front of the biggest crowd that we’ve ever had.
“I have a huge support system here in Reading, Pennsylvania. With 5,000 people, it was a blessing.”
Referencing his victory over Barnett and the immediate future, Kauffman said, “I broke his rib right away and heard him groan. As soon as I hit him with that body shot I knew it was over.
“I’m scheduled to fight on ESPN in January and I’m going to be in the best shape of my life.”
XFE is scheduled to return to Reading’s Santander Arena on March 1, 2014 with a night of MMA action.
Sean O’Brien is based in the Philadelphia region and has written professionally for over two decades. You can follow him on Twitter @SeanyOB and also read his blog Insight.
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