I was just getting down to the letter ?D? on my holiday shopping list when I heard and read about flyweight champ Nonito Doniare?s public complaints about his promoter. Big Gary Shaw, Donaire proclaimed, was bullying him.
Is this the ?Filpino Flash? or a little old whinemaker who head has gotten too big for his hat size? Is this a rising ring star who was lucky that Shaw was able to put him, albeit third-billed, on Showtime or just another fighter with one major victory who has gotten too big for his britches? And Donaire can take that literally and figuratively, given the boxer?s own admission that swelled up to 140 pounds while enjoying the ?fruits of victory? after he knocked out Aussie Vic Darchinyan.
Let?s play this straight so, as Boxingconfidential comment poster-addict JW Black would put it, we can remain effective on a worldwide basis. Shaw is an advertiser on this site but, if I thought he was in any way wrong in this silly tiff with Donaire, I would kick Big Gar right in the can. And he knows that. His wouldn?t be the first?or last?ad BC has lost or not gotten because of our outspoken editorial policy. When you rent ad space herein, you don?t buy suck-up coverage. Got that? We call them as we sees ’em and, if we don’t see ’em, well sometimes we make it up (joke, joke).
Gary Shaw is no angel, he’s a flesh merchant, I mean a fight promoter. He doesn’t operate his company as a hobby if you know what I mean. But the promoter is not always wrong and the fighter is not always right. But Shaw may be batting at least .750 on this bogus brouhaha.
So, in Cosellian terms, let?s tell it like it is.
Donaire is a semi-big deal in the RPI. I get that as many see him as a guy who can hoist the beautiful national flag when Manny Pacquiao rides into the boxing sunset. But Donaire, at this point, means very little in America.
Nonito could walk naked through Times Square, although he might want to wear puffy North Face jacket given today’s frost temps, and I guarantee you no one would recognize him.
So what was it that Big Bully Promoter did to ruffle Donaire?s feathers?
Complaint #1?Shaw only gave him a month?s notice that he was fighting Luis Maldonado? So what, ND? You?re a world champion striving to make a name, striving to hopefully climb to PPV TV status, you?re supposed to be Everready like a battery. Perhaps Shaw didn?t ink Maldonado or get a full greenlight from Showtime until just before he notified you. Give me one good reason Shaw would want to put his own champion?duh and double-duh??at a competitive disadvantage?
COMPLAINT REJECTED!
Complaint #2?Maldonado?s family sat together in a front ringside row while the Donaire clan sat many rows behind them. Speak to your manager, Cameron Dunkin, about that or look to your bout and/or promotional contract, son. It isn?t the promoter?s job to demand front row seats for Family Donaire. I don?t see you claiming your family had to pay to get in or that they sat in some ?nosebleeds.?
COMPLAINT REJECTED!
Complaint #3?And the gripes roll on?you claim you did not get training expenses and/or money to go train in the Philippines. Again, that is your manager or agent?s job to demand this from Shaw. Again you are barking up the wrong tree, McGriff.
COMPLAINT REJECTED
Complaint #4?That you ballooned up to 140 pounds after knocking out Weak Chin Darchinyan. You put the weight while on a celebratory tour underwritten by TV network ABS-CBN. What was the deal, was Shaw shoving lumpia and donuts down your throat when no one else was looking? I don?t see Megamanny Pacquiao blowing up 30 pounds between fights, do you? How about some self-control?
COMPLAINT REJECTED
Complaint #5?Shaw pulled down TV money for RPI from Solar Sports. So what? Is the promoter supposed to work pro bono or pro Donaire only? Duncan is the cat who is your fiduciary, meaning your financial advocate. Are you saying you got a unfair purse, Big Willie?
COMPLAINT REJECTED
Complaint #6?You had five hotel rooms coming and Shaw gave one to Duncan. If it isn?t a Duncan, it isn?t a yo-yo, yo. This guy is your manager, your agent or whatever, right? Where?s he supposed to sleep, in the parking lot at Foxwoods? That left you with four other rooms, didn?t it? But your block of five includes your manager/agent, silly boy.
COMPLAINT REJECTED
Complaint #7?An angry Shaw asked, ?Who do you think you are, Manny Pacquiao??
Acutally, in light of your public whining that?s a relevant question. At this point, you?re not even a Minimanny. Perhaps you?re not used to Big Gar?s pointed, often sarcastic, sense of humor.
COMPLAINT REJECTED
Recommendation to the ?Filpino Crybaby?: Grow up and fast. Handle your business outside the ring the way you?ve been doing in the ring and everything will be fine. Start acting like a 25-year-old, not like a 12-year-old.
Merry, Happy and like that to the entire Donaire clan! And a most Happy Hannukah to Big Gary Shaw and family.
May I send that new, expanded hat to you in GenSan, Nonito? I hope it fits.
