‘HE WAS A GREAT GUY’

Gary Shaw, a respected promoter, passes away at 79

GARY SHAW was one of those figures in boxing who clearly adored the sport and its fighters. It is with great sadness to report his death at the age of 79.

The New Jersey promoter, who got started with Main Events in 1999, had been bed-ridden since suffering a heart attack in January.

Fighters that Shaw represented during his long career in boxing include Manny Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley, Diego Corrales, Winky Wright and Shane Mosley.

Before heading into the business side of boxing, Shaw spent 28 years representing the New Jersey Athletic Control Board, first as an inspector before rising to the level of chief inspector. It was that grounding that prepared him for the unpredictable world of promoting.

Shaw will be remembered for his integrity and his unique sense of humour, according to those who knew him best. Gary Shaw Promotions was, for a time, one of the key players in the industry.

“He was one of the best promoters I’ve dealt with,” former WBA superlightweight titlist Sharmba Mitchell told The Ring. “We dealt with each other on a handshake. Great guy, he did exactly what he said he was gonna do... He was always real with me, we could talk about any and everything.”

Shaw can also be credited with conceptualising Shobox: The New Generation, a series shown on Showtime. His final promotion occurred in June 2015, when Miguel Cotto defeated Daniel Geale in Brooklyn.

He will be greatly missed.