In huge news for boxing and tracksuit aficionados, various outlets are reporting that Gary Shaw has merged his promotional company with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports.
It looks like Shaw will take charge of Roc Nation’s boxing division while also bringing his stable of fighters into the Roc Nation fold.
Shaw doesn’t have a lot of elite fighters anymore, but middleweight Daniel Geale and heavyweight Bryant Jennings are in the top ten of their respective divisions, and there are some contender-y types in the mix like welterweight Thomas Dulorme.
“I’m proud that I’m with Roc Nation officially,” Shaw told Rick Reeno at Boxingscene. “I’ve brought over all of my employees, my fighters. It’s a big step for me promotionally and for GSP. Roc Nation is going to bring more exposure than any other promotional company to any fighter.”
If Roc Nation’s mammoth $1.9 million purse bid for Peter Quillin vs. Matt Korobov in August last year didn’t show that they’re serious, bringing in Shaw certainly does. Though he has sometimes been criticised for unimaginative promotions in empty casinos, he’s an absolute veteran of the sport and will bring a lot of know-how to Roc.
Of course, Quillin vs. Korobov eventually fell through after Quillin’s advisor, all-purpose villain Al Haymon, convinced him to ditch a career high pay day. Haymon allegedly bears a grudge against Jay-Z from his time in the concert promoting business last decade. If Haymon continues to cock block Roc Nation, it’ll be a major headache for the emerging outfit, considering how much of the sport Haymon now controls.
On a lighter note, it’s nice that Shaw has finally found his place, amongst fellow athletic-wear enthusiasts. Rumours that Roc Nation are paying him entirely in tracksuits are yet to be confirmed.
Roc Nation are hosting their first card this Friday at Madison Square Garden, televised on Fox Sports 1 and headlined by prospect Dusty Hernandez-Harrison, who’s fighting local boy Tommy Rainone. It’s not a fight that’s going to set the world on fire, but the pitch is a more holistic entertainment experience featuring live music and celebrities like Rhianna and Carmelo Anthony.
Will it work? Maybe – thousands of people turn up to watch Wladimir Klitschko’s light shows in Germany, so anything’s possible.
