Gary Shaw doubts success of Affliction/Golden Boy

thefirm0 · 09-16-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

MMA Quick Quote: Elite XCs Gary Shaw doubts success of Affliction/Golden Boy Promotions partnership
By: James Iannotti
“I think they’re in a very tough area. Golden Boy is doing a very good job in boxing. Oscar De La Hoya knows boxing. There’s nobody there that knows MMA. I think Affliction or Oscar, if they’re going to team up, still needs an MMA promoter. Because at the end of the day, it’s the promoter that starts the ball rolling, and starts everybody talking. You know, like me and Dana. I don’t think it’s going to work out. They’re talking about Affliction doing all the boxing gear and everything else. When I looked around the room while they were doing the press conference, there wasn’t one person wearing anything of a shirt, hat or pants that had anything to do with boxing. You go to an MMA event, it’s a lifestyle, everybody is in MMA clothing. I think it’s going to be a lesson to both. I think they’re in for some surprises.”

– Former Elite XC Live Events President Gary Shaw shares his thoughts with Steve Cofield on the recent partnership between Affliction MMA and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions during a recent radio interview. Obviously Shaw doesn’t think boxing and mixed martial arts can be marketed or promoted the same way as evidenced by his comments about boxing apparel vs. MMA apparel. He goes on to talk more about why he doesn’t think events featuring both boxing and MMA would work out, making actually some solid points. If anybody were to know about the difference in promoting boxing vs. MMA it would be Shaw. He has been a part of both sports at the highest level. Maybe he knows what he’s talking about. Or maybe he’s just bitter about his lack of success in mixed martial arts and doesn’t want to see other people succeed where he did not.

first time i agree with him. i think the devil just put on a sweater.

Dork8503 · 09-16-2008, 09:53 AM

i hate to say it but i agree

amosaback · 09-16-2008, 12:34 PM

Personally, I hate the idea of producing events with MMA and boxing. When I was a kid I really liked boxing....BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MMA! Now that I've been watching MMA for over a decade, I have no interest in watching boxing. The last thing I want is to pay $40 for an event and have 2 or 3 boxing matches on the main card. I'd rather watch the weakest MMA fight on the undercard that watch any boxing match.

If my dog gets neutered then he can't hump productively. If MMA gets neutered then we have boxing.

superjld · 09-16-2008, 07:19 PM

I want MMA to stay away from boxing and not slowly go down the same path. I don't want multiple belts, 52 weight classes, and one good fight every 3 years. I also agree I don't want to currently pay $40 for an entire night of MMA, and then get that reduced to $40 for 2 MMA fights and 2 (probably much longer) boxing matches. If someone likes boxing, good for you...go order the ppv and enjoy it to your heart's content. It's just not something I'm personally wanting to watch, and I don't want to pay for something I don't want just to see the MMA fights that get throw in with it.

Nebraska · 09-16-2008, 07:32 PM

What does Gary Shaw know about MMA?

I ask this, because he was a boxing promoter before working for ProElite. Dana was a boxing promoter before working for the UFC. De La Hoya may not know about MMA, right now, but how does Gary Shaw know that he won't eventually adapt like Dana did?

Gary Shaw never came off as a knowledgeable MMA person to me, especially with his "in his stand-up game, he is probably number one" comment (regarding Kimbo).

jhell · 09-16-2008, 07:34 PM

I like how Shaw puts himself up there with Dana. Back to reality Gary, you're a tool.

Bones McGee · 09-17-2008, 03:00 AM

So says the man who has lost 50 million dollars.

maxp84z · 09-17-2008, 03:24 AM

I agree... I was with Affliction all the way till they made this sorry announcement. It only works if the two are active to promote each other. (during a boxing ppv they promote an upcoming affliction mma card and vice versa)Having a hybrid boxing/MMA event sounds like a disaster. MMA owns boxing in every aspect. Hosting such an event is going to alienate the hardcore MMA fan. This is the last thing Affliction wants to do. So far the hardcore MMA fans are pretty much the base of Affliction. DONT FUCK IT UP!