Jose Caraballo, owner of the Ray Schafer Boxing Association in Sharpsburg, hopes 2026 will be a busy year in the ring.
Caraballo, who trains Colleen Davis, has the Shaler graduate lined up for a pair of professional bouts five weeks apart this summer.
He also is hopeful that access to different sanctioning bodies in Pennsylvania will provide other opportunities for the amateur fighters from his gym. Caraballo was frequently frustrated in the past due to the red tape for getting sanctioned through USA Boxing. He would like to host more events.
USA Boxing is the sole national governing body for Olympic-style amateur boxing.
“This year, there are new sanctioning bodies in Pennsylvania,” Caraballo said. “There is ISKA (International Sport Karate Association) and A2P (Athlete to Pro). It’s for guys who want to go professional and fight all the time without waiting for years to go to the Olympics. They don’t have to wear a shirt, headgear is optional and they can come out to music.”
Davis, 35, has been Caraballo’s most active professional fighter. She fought three times in 2024 and 2025 and has an overall record of 4-4-1.
She is set to take on Lauren Michaels in a bout June 13 at the Pasquerilla Center in Johnstown. Michaels, who is 2-7, enters the fight on a six-fight losing streak. Davis is looking to get back on track after she lost twice via decision and had a fight end due to a no contest last year.
“They reached out to us for the opportunity. They had a fighter who was from out that way,” Caraballo said. “We are looking at the bigger picture. We’ve been speaking about returning to fighting with MVP Promotions. This was an opportunity to get a fight in with a tough opponent.”
After fighting Michaels, Caraballo will fight Jaclyn McTamney on July 26 at Cannstatter’s in Philadelphia. McTamney, 34, is 4-0.
Caraballo said that he tried to get Davis a fight with Mia Ellis, who is 9-3 and fights out of Baltimore, but both sides couldn’t come to an agreement on terms.
Caraballo said Davis, who last fought in August, has been training daily.
“She’s been getting strong and improving her boxing IQ,” Caraballo said. “She’s stayed healthy and hasn’t missed a day in the gym. She’s stayed focused, and she’s at the point where the fights are getting bigger.”
Caraballo said the next two fights are exciting because it allows Davis to fight in-state opponents.
“I’ve told her they are the girls that matter,” Caraballo said. “The next girl is undefeated and from Pennsylvania. Colleen needs to set the record straight that she can clear out her city and state before worrying about opponents nationally.”