Gary Shaw says he could make Kimbo world champ

Gary Shaw says he is dissapointed Kimbo has signed with UFC instead of signing with him to box.

What's your reaction to Kimbo going on The Ultimate Fighter?
Gary Shaw: It shocked me when I heard, especially after Dana dissing him for two years and saying the nastiest things about him. So it surprised me.

Are you disappointed on a personal level? You put a lot into promoting and marketing Kimbo.
Sure. I just don't think it's a big enough platform for him. I think it's a step back. I think he's bigger than that.

Are you disappointed that Kimbo won't be boxing?
Yes. Because I really believe that I could make him the heavyweight champ.

Really?
Yes. And I believe he could have made a lot of money in boxing, because of that it factor, and I believe that boxing needs a heavyweight with real star power. If I ask you what heavyweight you'd want to see, I'm not sure you'd want to see any.

I think Kimbo on Showtime might have drawn more viewers than one of the Klitschko brothers on HBO.
Absolutely. He would have attracted boxing fans, MMA fans, he would have attracted the people who are Kimbo detractors and the Kimbo fans. What he's doing now, he's one of many. If I had put him in the boxing ring he would have been one of one.

And you think he has real athletic potential in addition to the it factor?
He's an athlete and he's a star. He's got the whole package, and that's why I'm disappointed I won't get to put him in the boxing ring. I think if I had hooked him up with a great strength and conditioning coach and a great boxing trainer, he would have woken up the heavyweight division. At first everyone would have said he's old and he can't box, but after five or six wins, that would have changed. And he could have filled a void. Right now in boxing, the heavyweight division is a void.

Well, there is David Haye against Wladimir Klitschko coming up.
David Haye's going to get knocked out within three rounds. Remember I told you that. There are no bright stars in the heavyweight division to get fans excited. Kimbo would have breathed life into the heavyweight division.

Do you think Kimbo is 100% committed to the UFC now?
I don't know factually, but from what I hear I think so.