Jose Pedraza Not Part of 'Roc Nation' Says Lou DiBella

By Steve Kim

When Gary Shaw was brought aboard 'Roc Nation Sports' as part of their boxing division, it assumed that all the fighters - such as Bryant Jennings and Taureano Johnson - under his promotional banner would be part of the deal.

But according to Lou DiBella, super featherweight Jose Pedraza, doesn't fall under this umbrella. DiBella, Javier Bustillo and Shaw all had a three-way partnership to promote the Puerto Rican, who currently has a mark of 19-0 (12 KO's) and is the top rated contender in the IBF.

On Friday evening DiBella explained to BoxingScene.com:

"(Shaw) had zero right to assign his contract to 'Roc Nation', zero right. They have to allow myself and Javier Bustillo to buy him out and we have to approve any partner. So 'Roc Nation' has no right to Pedraza."

DiBella added - "There's a contract that dictates what happens if one of us gets bought out or whatever - and right now, Gary's a partner, Gary Show Promotions is a partner - if it no longer exists then that's another issue."

"But if he saying he sold the rights to 'Roc Nation' - he's not allowed to. 'Roc Nation' is NOT a partner in Jose Pedraza. That is a fact."

DiBella made it clear - "Gary's a partner, but he does not have a majority interest in Pedraza. Bustillo and I have not agreed to any assignment to 'Roc Nation' nor are we going to agree and if Gary is assigning him anywhere he has to offer to us, first. That's the agreement."

"We're not f***ing Gary. Gary's involved, Gary's a partner. But when Gary sold his company to 'Roc Nation', did he get rid of Gary Shaw Promotions, does Gary Shaw Promotions still exist with respect to Pedraza? He should notify us."

An interesting sidelight to this is that Pedraza is now advised by Al Haymon, who certainly is not allies with Jay-Z or his new promotional company.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.