Two high-profile female journalists, Michelle Beadle and Rachel Nichols, claim that Floyd Mayweather's camp banned them from his boxing match with Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.
Beadle is a journalist for ESPN and HBO, and Nichols is a CNN sports anchor. In the past, both Beadle and Nichols have openly criticized Mayweather on his domestic abuse record.
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Last September, Beadle apologized to fans for not grilling Mayweather on his violent past during an interview at the ESPY Awards, saying she wasn't aware of his "horrible" record.
Nichols recently interviewed Mayweather about his abusive history, repeatedly asking him about domestic abuse allegations.
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
Kelly Swanson, who handles public relations for Mayweather, is contesting the claims via Twitter. Swanson did not immediately respond to Mashable's request for comment.
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
After Swanson denied the ban, Nichols further detailed her experience trying to report on the fight on Twitter.
In an email dated April 23, I was told I would only be credentialed for the run-up events through the week, but in bold, italic letters the email stated "you do not have any access Saturday to any services or events." A CNN producer revisited the issue with the Mayweather camp on April 29, confirming to Mayweather's publicist that I would be in Las Vegas, and the publicist replied that I would still be denied a fight night credential. I was told the same thing when I arrived at the credential office in person on May 1, by two separate officials, in front of several other people. It doesn't surprise me that now, after facing significant backlash, the Mayweather camp has reversed its position. But despite this, and other outside parties generously offering me their seats, I will not attend the fight. I will also not let fear of retaliation prevent me from asking the tough questions the public deserves answers to in the future.
Additionally, Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix claims Nichols was specifically left out of the event's seating chart. USA Today sports reporter Martin Rogers was also allegedly blocked by Mayweather's camp. Rogers did not immediately respond to Mashable's request for comment.
SI has obtained a copy of most recent seating chart circulated by promoters. Two CNN talent listed as credentialed. @Rachel__Nichols is not.— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) May 2, 2015
In addition to banning @Rachel__Nichols and @MichelleDBeadle, Mayweather declined to credential @mrogersUSAT, who has written great DV stuff— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) May 2, 2015
HBO was eventually able to get Beadle credentials for the event, but it was too late.
After hearing my credential was pulled, I went home. Told this morning that HBO was able to get it re-approved late last night.— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) May 2, 2015
The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight is being hailed by some as the "Fight of the Century." In Pacquiao's home country of the Philippines, May 2 has already been declared a national holiday.
UPDATED 4:45 p.m. PT to include additional details from Rachel Nichols.