Floyd Mayweather’s publicist denies blocking Michelle Beadle, Rachel Nichols from covering fight
Floyd Mayweather’s publicist is denying claims made by Michelle Beadle and Rachel Nichols that they are banned from covering his fight against Manny Pacquiao tonight.
It’s been called the fight of the century and the hype leading up to Mayweather-Pacquiao has been on par with the Super Bowl, but a new fight is on the horizon with two prominent media members at the center.
Michelle Beadle and Rachel Nichols both took to Twitter to announce that they won’t be
I, along with @Rachel__Nichols, have been banned from the MGM Grand Arena for the fight tonight by the Mayweather camp. #TheFightGame
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) May 2, 2015
No fight for me or @MichelleDBeadle. Mayweather's team told my producer the camp was blocking my credential. https://t.co/JTjjXadPp8
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 2, 2015
Two respected journalists having their credentials blocked the day of the most anticipated fight in history is a nice way to drum up some controversy to start your day. Both have been outspoken critics of Mayweather who has a history of domestic violence. Nichols grilled Mayweather last fall after the sports world was shocked by former Baltimore Ravens running back assaulting his then-fiancee.
Here's my interview with Floyd Mayweather from this past fall, the same week the Ray Rice video was leaked: https://t.co/yFiBhEQhFb
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 2, 2015
Mayweather shows no remorse and blows off these “allegations” because there is no video or pictures. Sure, because no video or photographic evidence is synonymous with being cleared of any wrongdoing and having your name cleared.
This is where the story takes an odd twist and lines are drawn in the sand.
Mayweather’s publicist Kelly Swanson took to her Twitter account to rebuff the claims from Beadle and Nichols and to clear up any confusion that has arisen since the ESPN and CNN employees said they were banned.
No one including ME banned @Rachel__Nichols from covering the fight. She is already credentialed. #Facts
— Kelly Swanson (@kellyswanson1) May 2, 2015
And @MichelleDBeadle isn't even on the press list. She's credentialed through @HBOboxing. Yes credentialed. #Fact#2
— Kelly Swanson (@kellyswanson1) May 2, 2015
@BonnieBernstein yes that is what I am saying. They have credentials and still have them.
— Kelly Swanson (@kellyswanson1) May 2, 2015
So this is certainly interesting and adds a subplot to the fight later tonight. Not that it needed any more hype leading up to Mayweather and Pacquiao stepping inside the squared circle after nonstop coverage this week, and it certainly didn’t need anymore controversy.
Mayweather is a tough person to root for considering his multiple domestic violence transgressions and even spent time in jail for punching and kicking the mother of his three children after his son called the police on him.
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