Shine Still Under Fire From Failed "Worlds Collide" Event

Shine Still Under Fire From Failed "Worlds Collide" Event

May 15, 2010 held the promise of being one of the bigger nights for mixed martial arts in North Carolina. Shine Fight Promotions, LLC planned to put on "Worlds Collide" in Fayetteville, N.C. with a headlining bout that finally pitted a true boxer against a veteran MMA fighter. This made the event a true draw not only at the gate, but on pay-per-view as well. Ricardo Mayorga, a former World Boxing Association welterweight champion, was set to face UFC veteran and MMA ambassador, Din Thomas.

But the event never happened. Since then, the promotion has left a wake of unpaid debts across the state. Ranging from a venue left at the altar, a fill-in doctor who scrambled to arrive in time for the event, and a bevy of fighters not paid by the promotion. The event, or lack thereof, has shown the murkier side of fight promotions.

How much does Shine owe from the remnants of "Worlds Collide?" Because contracts are protected by confidentiality clauses, an exact figure is unknown. However, the total sum of the unpaid balance from the canceled show could be as high as $75,000.

A report by Fran Gilpin in the Fayetteville Observer last week stated that Crown Center, where the event was to be held, was owed approximately $42,000 in hotel, travel, and staffing costs. The report also states that Price has not returned messages to arena officials for several months.

After the original physician for the event backed out, a replacement had to be found. Michael Allen, agent for Roger Carroll and local promoter Kenny Letts (Fight Lab Promotions), assisted in arranging a last minute fill-in for the arena. N.C. Boxing Authority approved physician Dr. Joe Crill agreed to oversee the event for $1,000, including expenses. He arrived at the event, from Charlotte (130 miles), shortly before the cancellation. As of August 18, Dr. Crill had not been paid.

According to Terrance Merriweather, supervisor with the North Carolina Boxing Authority, contact was made with Price on June 6 requesting a total of $3,878.05. Of that amount, $1,200 constituted N.C. fighter Roger Carroll’s purse, while the remaining $2,678.05 was earmarked for the authority’s officials, such as referees and judges. Eventually, because of Shine’s lack of response, the state, and Carroll, were forced to file a claim against the insurance bond required to obtain a promoter’s license in North Carolina.

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