Shane Carwin Responds to Criticism of Perceived Lack of Media Access
Written by Tim Ngo
June 21st, 2010
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UFC Champions Shane Carwin Brock Lesnar
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Shane Carwin is on the verge of the biggest fight of his career and he’s treating it as such but he’s also gotten his fair share of lumps for not “selling” the fight enough.
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Following his appearance via satellite during “The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale,” Carwin was chastised by certain members of the media for not “playing the game” to so speak.
Rightfully upset, Carwin took some time to respond on his official website to clear the air about why he hasn’t done as many interviews as he has in the past leading up to his July 3rd showdown with Brock Lesnar at UFC 116.
“I never said I wasn’t doing interviews or eliminating media. I said I was not taking any direct media request. I just do not have the time to spend “just 15 minutes” on the phone answering the same questions over and over,” Carwin wrote.
With the type of notoriety that follows a fighter when they are the main event of a heavyweight title bout, it’s understandable that training time is of the utmost importance but Carwin has made himself extremely accessible on his Twitter account.
Carwin also went on to respond to reports about how much money he would make for his upcoming bout with Lesnar by predicting that he would earn “Knockout of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” honors at UFC 116.
“For those of you reporting I am only making $50,000 for this fight and that is the reason behind my limiting media,” Carwin stated. “Please get your facts right it is $80,000 ($40 to show and $40 to win) plus you have to factor in my generous sponsors (THANKS) and the KO and FOTN bonus that will be awarded to me on July 3rd. I would have done it for less, I love competing and testing myself.”