By Kenneth Friedman: Heavyweight Travis Kauffman has revealed that he’s been confirmed as having tested positive for the coronavirus. Kauffman, 34, says he’s doing alright so far, but it’s been an up and down thing for him.
He said he had a temperature of 102.7, and he’s concerned about his family. He says they’re sick, but they haven’t been tested for coronavirus like himself. He’s currently isolating himself. Kauffman says he was told by the hospital not to return unless he’s having problems breathing.
Kauffman (32-3, 23 KOs) last fought in December 2018 in losing to Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz by a 10th round knockout in a competitive fight.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that former heavyweight world title challenger Derrick Jefferson is ill with coronavirus and is in a medically induced coma.
Travis told he has coronavirus
“I got the news today, I got a phone call at 11 o’clock today, and I was actually sleeping,” said Kauffman on social media. “I’m doing alright. It’s been up and down. I’m still feeling OK. Today is a little worse than yesterday.
“I called the number back right away. It was the Pennsylvania Department of Health or whatever…and she told me, ‘Did the hospital tell you that you’d tested positive for COVID 19?’ I was like ‘What? Did I?’ She said, ‘Yeah.’
“I started out with s scratchy throat and didn’t think nothing of it. On Saturday, something just hit me. I felt like I’d been hit with a truck all of a sudden. I started feeling weird. My body was hurting bad. My fever was 102.7. That’s when I said, ‘I got to go get checked,” said Kauffman.
Travis is scheduled to fight next month against journeyman Nick Guivas (14-10-3, 9 KOs) on April 11 at the Armory, Minneapolis. That obviously isn’t going to happen now given Kauffman’s illness.
The youth and the physical condition of Kauffman is something he has in his favor. Many of the people that have died from the coronavirus were older and/or hand preexisting medical problems that made them vulnerable. However, the coronavirus is also killing a lot of people that are young and seemingly in good health. Scientists believe that millions of people will eventually die from the coronavirus, which some feel is deadlier than the 1918 Spanish Flu.
Kauffman’s family is sick
“I’m pretty healthy and I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about my father. He’s 57-years-old, has heart problems and diabetes, and he’s stick right now. He hasn’t gotten tested for the coronavirus. I’ve been around him, and he’s got the same exact symptoms as me.
“My baby is sick and now his momma is sick. So the problem with this coronavirus thing is, yeah, it’s the flu and it kind of looks like the flu and it kind of is. The only problem is it’s so f—- contagious. This is a reason why we have to stay away from each other, man.
“Right now how I feel, I feel a lot of pressure like I have a sinus infection. Sometimes when I go to blow my nose, nothing comes out. But when I suck in, Oh my God. I told somebody today, ‘everyone is going to get it anyway.’
“That’s the mindset of f—- people. The doctors said don’t come back to the hospital unless I’m having trouble breathing. As of right now, I’m OK, but I heard this is one of those things where it’s a rollercoaster. One day you feel perfect and the next day you’re like, BAM, you’re dead. Just continue to keep me and my family in your prayers. Thank you,” said Kauffman.
Hopefully, Kauffman and his family will be OK. As he said, the coronavirus is very contagious and one can contract it easily.
