Press Release: NEW YORK, NY (September 8, 2004) -- Promoter Gary Shaw, president of Gary Shaw Productions, LLC,  announced today that his attorney Judd Burstein filed a lawsuit for libel in the Supreme Court of The State of New York County of New York against Thaddeus "Ted" Watley.  Shaw's complaint is based on an interview Watley gave to Boxingtalk.com which was posted September 6, 2004.   The complaint states that Watley published several false and defamatory statements about Shaw regarding his involvement with the Mike Tyson - Danny Williams bout of July 30, 2004.

The complaint further states that "Watley either knew that the statements were false or made the statements with reckless disregard for their truth such that Watley entertained serious doubts as to the truth of the statements."
 
The complaint also details Watley's "extensive 30+ year criminal record that includes a conviction within the past four months," including being enjoined by  federal court "from engaging in fraudulent prcatices in the securities industry."    
 
"I am not going to sit by while Watley tells lies about my supposedly having cheated fighters," said Shaw.  "Everything he said about me in the Boxingtalk.com article is demonstrably false."
 
"These kinds of outrageous falsehoods need to be stopped in their tracks," stated Burstein.  "A message has to be sent out that the First Amendment does not protect outright false claims about someone's supposed dishonesty. Mr. Watley, who in the conduct of his own life, has revealed himself to be a liar and a thief, should expect to pay a heavy price for his misconduct. At a minimum, he will be far less likely to open his mouth and spew lies the next time around.  Indeed, he may not be able to afford the dime to call anyone."