Well, never say never because today Pro Elite, Inc. who is spearheaded by Gary Shaw along with a powerful executive team that includes Showtime’s Ken Hirschman, formally announced MMA’s newest promotion, Elite Xtreme Combat, which will have it’s first show February 10th in Mississippi’s DeSoto Civic Center and most importantly will be aired on Showtime. The Main Event features MMA legends Frank Shamrock and Renzo Gracie.  
 

And let there be no doubt that another piece of the boxing pie, which is fans, media and executives alike, will come along with Shaw. Maybe even boxers, like K.J. Noons who is signed by Shaw’s boxing promotional company, Gary Shaw Promotions, and will fight MMA on the February card. “When MMA outdraws a baseball playoff game” says Shaw, “It’s time to pay attention.”
 

I guess “The Thrill” paid attention because he sent me to Hollywood to have me cover the Gary Shaw, Pro Elite & Showtime presser.

Shaw, who may have just found his real niche as was displayed by his jolly spirit, definitely has no plans on being done with boxing any time soon. “I’m not leaving boxing” reassures Shaw, “I want my boxers to know that when they sign with me, they’re not forgotten. They’re in good hands.” Shaw also says that he is currently negotiating with Don King to co-promote a card in Miami on February 3rd. (Chad Dawson & Thomas Adamak).

Yet, I’ve been to boxing press conferences held by Gary, and at those Shaw has began to show the wear and tear that negotiating with boxing’s field-tested power players, namely greedy and self serving fighter, have left on him. Shaw is a team player but, when it comes to boxing, he’s like Shaq in his last year with the Lakers, he doesn’t really want to be there because those around him are in it only for themselves, but he remains a team player because he has made a commitment and he knows if he caves in now, his future earning power doesn’t go down.

But Thursday, he was like Shaq on his first day with the Heat, his new team could be the reason. Shaw, is working with people who will bring loads of experience. Aside from Hershman, who is Senior Vice President and General Manager for Showtime’s Sports & Event Programming, the team for Pro Elite includes, CEO Doug DeLuca, who has worked with NBC, HBO and ABC, Emmy award winning Director John Faratzis, who has worked on Super Bowls and Olympic Games.

Another prominent writer at the presser said, “Unlike other organizations, these guys can give the UFC a run for their money.”

So how will Shaw compete with the likes of the game’s big boys, UFC and PrideFC, who are the sports top two promotions? “ We're not competing with anybody. We have our own product and were going forward ,” says Shaw.

And in the only sign that showed how new Shaw really is to the sport, he added, “We will work with other organizations to create a true world champion."

But like the WBA and the WBC, one has to ask, will the organizations be willing to work with him?

Maybe after he deals with those guys he’ll change his tune, but for now it would be refreshing to see the MMA game move up a notch on the evolutionary ladder.

And for Shaw, who has entered with the enthusiasm of a kid,  hehas his sites set high and hopes to maybe one day put together a World Cup like tournament.

Whatever the case may be, Gary Shaw may have found his niche.