In what was his first public function since the death of his father, Gary Shaw was in Los Angeles this past Thursday afternoon, to officially announce the latest installment of the epic rivalry that is Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez. This press conference was held outdoors just outside the Staples Center, where this fight will take place on May 22nd.
A couple of weeks ago, he had just touched down in Rancho Mirage, California, to promote Vic Darchinyan’s fight against Rodrigo Guerrero, at the Agua Caliente Casino, when he was notified that his father, Eddie, age 92, had passed away. Shaw quickly made his way back east to make all the funeral arrangements.
Shaw admits the transition back to the boxing business has not been easy.
“Yeah, it’s been very difficult because my father was a huge boxing fan and so just being here at the press conference today, I just can’t help thinking about my dad,” admitted Shaw, who was flanked by his son, Jared, on the dais before the press conference began. “But I gotta get through it; he’s in a better place right now and he’d want to move on and I started moving on a couple of days ago, doing this press conference, trying to make Darchinyan and Donaire, some other big fights.”
Before his father’s passing, Shaw had visited him in Florida, knowing that it would perhaps be the last time he ever saw him. It still doesn’t make this process any tougher to deal with. After a long pause, a reflective Shaw said, “No, not at all. It was the last time; it’s difficult to talk about it. I’m trying to get through it and understand. It’s unusual for someone my age to have both parents. After awhile, it was like a crap roll; I just thought it would never end. And unfortunately, it was the end. It was the last time I ever saw him. I got to kiss him good-bye; but it’s still not easy.”
Shaw, who is Jewish, got the typical reaction from his father regarding his career.
“He loved that I was in it, but he never understood it,” said Shaw, whose mood lightens as he talks about this.”He must’ve asked me- and I’m being serious- 50 times, ’How do you get your money? I don’t understand where you get your money.’ Because he’d hear of a fighter getting $2 million purse or whatever and he’d go, ’Where do you have $2 million? How’d you get $2 million?’ So he never understood it. He went to his grave not understanding what his son did, other than being in boxing.”
What did lift his spirits was the overwhelming amount of condolences from the boxing community.
“You know what? I thought I knew how many enemies I had, I didn’t know how many friends I had. I would tell you that I got over 200 emails from around the world with just the most beautiful things, people that I never would have expected to hear from,” said a thankful Shaw. “People that I didn’t even know in boxing, maybe a cut-man or whatever. The outpouring of love, I printed them all out for my mother. A guy like Ken Condon, who used to be president of Bally’s, sending a condolence. I got ’em from Europe, from the sportswriters.
“It’s unbelievable; let me tell you something, boxing’s got a lot of good people in it. Do we have a mixed up, crazy, nonsensical, un-businesslike sport? 100-percent,” continued Shaw. “But you know what? There’s a lot of good hearts.”
In many instances, when an individual goes through something of this nature, it changes them. Perhaps they become softer or gain a newfound perspective on life. But Shaw, a passionate sort, says when it comes to boxing, he will continue to be “The Shaw-riff.” He knows no other way.
“I don’t know, I’m trying to mellow,” he said, laughing, “But I care so much. I never fight for myself or my name on a banner or my logo. I fight for my fighters. I don’t know that’ll ever change, to be honest, because I believe in my fighters and if somebody’s writing something that I don’t believe in or trying to screw my fighters, I stand up for them. Do I get screwed by fighters? Sure. But that’s who Gary Shaw is.”
And Shaw, who is the game’s most fan-friendly promoter, has begun to piece together future bouts for his clients. One of them being the highly anticipated grudge-match/rematch between Nonito Donaire and Vic Darchinyan. Shaw says, “We’re close; we’re looking at an August date on Showtime. Just wrangling about the money between us and the network, not between Top Rank and Gary Shaw. I would tell you we’re probably about 85-percent there, right now.”
Last week, while the boxing world congregated in Dallas, Texas, Shaw moved Tim Bradley, a longtime Showtime staple, over to HBO. Bottom line, he needed to get back in the ballgame at junior welterweight.
“Ken Hershman [Vice President of Sports Programming at Showtime] understood and credit to Ken for letting us out of a ’first and last’. He couldn’t fulfill the dates or the possible money. I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for Timmy. I did it in the darkness of night, I didn’t tell Cameron Dunkin (Bradley’s manager) or Timmy, or anybody else because I wanted to make sure that we accomplished it,” said Shaw. “First fight’s against Luis Abregu [at] 147 pounds. My thought process is, [Bradley] wins that fight, he’s now a 140 and 147-pound fighter. He’s absolutely the best at 140 pounds and right now, HBO has the ’first and last’ on all the 140’s.”
And then, of course, there was the fight he was in town to promote, Vazquez-Marquez IV, which has been cleverly titled, ’Once and Four All.’
“I will tell you this, if anybody’s coming to watch a boxing match, they ought to go to a nice restaurant. This will not be a boxing match, this is obviously a fight. I don’t know how many rounds it goes. I don’t see how it possibly goes more than six rounds. Maybe we oughta charge tickets by the rounds,” joked Shaw. “But man, it will be one exciting fight once the bell rings. And obviously, the first fight between Yonnhy Perez and Abner Mares, there’s history between those two fighters and families and I know that’s going to really light this place up.”
ONCE AND FOUR ALL
Many of you had asked before about ticket info for Vazquez-Marquez IV. Well, the tickets went on sale this past Friday and they can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000 and at the Staples Center box-office.
What I really like about this is that the price points look very affordable, with tickets being priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25.
This should be a fun night.
ST. PATTY’s SPECIAL
I was able to check out Golden Boy’s special St. Patty’s Day Boxing, which was a “Fight Night Club” special edition, which took place outside at the Nokia Plaza at L.A. Live, and I have to say, I wouldn’t object to this being a regular series in the spring and summer months when it heats up.
Seriously, it was a great atmosphere; the sightlines were very good (and they have a big-screen outside, which isn’t Jerry Jones-sized, but it gets the job done) and it really seemed like those who attended this free show really had a good time. I can definitely see people taking the time out on a warm summer evening to catch a night of boxing and then enjoying the other aspects of this sprawling facility that has stuff like ESPN Zone and the Yard House on its property.
I can see holding shows of this nature, during the weeks of shows like Vazquez-Marquez IV, to help promote big shows at the Staples Center. Regardless, this is something that should be revisited in the near future.
WHITE SHADOW
I’ve mentioned this before in the past, but when I was talking to Shaw about spending his time with his father in Florida, it reminded me of one my all-time favorite episodes of “The White Shadow” when Coach Reeves goes back to visit his father in New York, with whom he had a bit of a rocky relationship with. During this time, Reeves and his father seem to reconcile and patch things up and make peace.
That scene where he and his father hug at the airport (just knowing it would be the last time that they would ever see each other) is so chilling and visceral, because it rings true to anyone who has family members or loved ones. My sinuses still act up for some reason, every time I see that episode. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.
The week that Shaw’s father passed away, I had been contemplating visiting my own father, who had told me it was no big deal if I came this week or some other time. As I heard the unfortunate news of Shaw’s loss, I immediately made up my mind to go visit my dad.
Because ya’ never know just how many times you’ll get to see them.
RAFAELS
One of my favorite TV shows is “Kitchen Nightmares” with Chef Gordon Ramsay, who works miracles by fixing really bad restaurants across the country. The latest episode had him visit “Mama Rita’s” in Newbury Park, California, a Mexican restaurant that was failing, largely, because of the over-abundance of frozen food. Well, all I can say is, that is never a problem at Rafael’s in Montebello (the greatest Mexican eatery in the world and a place where everyone knows my name- and literally, everyone there knows my name).
Don’t believe me? Well, here’s an email I received from a Ryan Wiggin not too long ago, who made the trek to “Rafa’s”…
“Hey Steve,
Just wanted to say thanks for the restaurant tip. I flew in from Minnesota for the fights last weekend and swung by there on Sunday for lunch. Damn good stuff.
The only downside was getting to watch yet another local guy get exposed. I didn’t expect Wilton Hilario to actually beat Honorio, but I was hoping it would be a little more competitive. Also, I have a hunch Jason Litzau will get knocked out by Juarez, probably after building an early lead. Such is life.”
Yeah, see, his guy lost, but in the end, Ryan won- he ate at Rafael’s. And if you don’t take the recommendation of sterling Mexican food from a Minnesotan, then you just can’t be helped. I know some of you have inquired about this place and have stated your intentions to come out for Vazquez-Marquez IV in May. Well, in that regard I am thinking about organizing a Maxboxing/Rafaels’ dinner on that Friday night and some folks have already committed. If you’re interested, let me know.
FINAL FLURRIES
Was told at the St. Patty’s card, that a fight between Daniel Ponce de Leon and Cornelius Lock will most likely land on the Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley undercard on May 1st…I’ll say it one more time; all Southern California boxing fans should be very thankful for the presence of AEG…Odlanier Solis has a lot of natural ability, but he still needs to drop 15-20 pounds; until then, he’s the Cuban Lawrence Clay-Bey…Did you see the fight on “Top Rank Live” where the guys protector/cup fell down his trunks? I had never seen that before…The only drawback to doing a sequel to ESPN’s “The U” is that it will feature Larry Coker…Like I said, my upset special was Kansas to go down to Northern Iowa, not Eddie Chambers over Wladimir Klitschko. But seriously, more thoughts on that fight in my next article…The latest edition of “The Main Event” features Dan Goossen and Freddie Roach…Any questions or comments can be sent to [email protected] and you can follow me at www.twitter.com/stevemaxboxing. We also have a new Maxboxing fan page at www.facebook.com/MaxBoxing
