Boxing World Mourns: Gary Shaw, the Promoter Legend, Dies at 79

11 April 2024

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Boxing World Loses a Giant: Gary Shaw Passes Away at 79

Gary Shaw, the famed boxing promoter, has left us at 79 years young. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman broke the news last Thursday. A heart attack in January had left the New Jersey native bedridden in his Florida home, Kevin Iole reports. Sulaiman expressed the collective heartache of the boxing world: "Boxing has lost a very dear person today. Gary Shaw has passed away. Our condolences go to Judy and the kids. I will always remember Gary with his unique smile, fun character and passion for boxing."

Shaw's promotion legacy began as Main Events' COO in 1999, evolving into the renowned Gary Shaw Productions. His knack for orchestrating major bouts delivered classics like the iconic Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo fight in 2005—tagged by many as the millennial fight to remember. He didn't just promote fights; he promoted legends, including icons like Manny Pacquiao, Diego Corrales, and 'Winky' Wright.

Before he became the promoter extraordinaire, Shaw served the New Jersey Athletic Control Board for 28 years, climbing to Chief Inspector. Fred Sternburg, an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee who worked closely with Shaw, reminisced, "He had a respect for the commissions, born out of his time within them that was unmatched. And his sense of humor? Legendary. When Judy threw him a surprise 60th birthday, I had Everlast make him a robe that read 'Raging Bullshit,' and he was ecstatic, wearing it all night."

Gary Shaw: A Promoter's Promoter & A Fighter's Friend

Shaw wasn't just about the business; he was about relationships. Just ask Sharmba Mitchell, a former WBA junior welterweight champion, who credits Shaw with revitalizing his career. "We dealt with each other on a handshake. Great guy," Mitchell reveals.

Among Shaw's lasting legacies: ShoBox: The New Generation, a show he conceptualized to transform budding pugilists into full-fledged champions. He even ventured into mixed martial arts with EliteXC, spotlighting fighters like Cris Cyborg and Kimbo Slice. His final bow in the promotion ring was the Miguel Cotto vs. Daniel Geale WBC middleweight title clash in 2015.

Gary Shaw was more than a promoter; he was a pillar of boxing, a mentor, and, above all, a great person with an enduring love for the sport and its warriors. Rest in peace, champ.

Editor: Vitalina Patskan

A Legend Lost: Gary Shaw Promotions

Boxing bid farewell to a titan: Gary Shaw, the man behind some of the biggest fists and fights, has left the ring for the last time at 79. Kevin Iole broke the news, and it hits harder than a knockout punch. Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC prez, couldn't hide his sorrow, remembering Gary's mega-watt smile and love for the sport.

Shaw's Punchy Legacy

From the Jersey streets to the boxing elite, Shaw left his mark everywhere. Starting as Main Events’ COO in '99, then pitching his own tent with Gary Shaw Productions, the dude was in the corner of legends like Manny Pacquiao. Remember Corrales vs. Castillo in 2005? That was all Shaw. The man knew how to put on a show!

More Than Just a Promoter

Behind the scenes, Shaw was the real deal. As an inspector with the New Jersey Athletic Control Board, he climbed to Chief Inspector, bringing his know-how to the promo game. Fred Sternburg, a Hall of Famer, credits Shaw for his own rise, while Sharmba Mitchell, a past champ, called their deal a 'handshake' – and in the fight game, that's solid gold.

The Man Who Brought You ShoBox

Gary had brains and brawn to spare. Creating ShoBox, he gave up-and-comers a shot at the big time. Not just stuck in boxing, Shaw dipped his gloves into the MMA world with EliteXC, launching names like Kimbo Slice. His last big punch was Cotto vs. Geale in 2015. The lights may have dimmed in Barclays that night, but Shaw's legacy is bright as ever.