In September of 2014, Rachel Nichols and Floyd Mayweather engaged in a testy interview about Mayweather’s alleged past with domestic violence. Nichols went right at Mayweather in the interview and didn’t allow him to dance around the domestic violence allegations. Following Nichols interview, Michele Beadle sent a series of tweets decrying Mayweather’s actions.
Now that the ball is in Mayweather’s court, he’s exacting some very petty revenge. Rachel Nichols and Michele Beadle have been banned from the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight by Mayweather’s Camp.
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
If this was an attempt by Mayweather to divert attention from his domestic violence history, then he failed terribly. His PR team are denying the action, claiming that Beadle is credentialed through HBO boxing.
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
Nichols and Beadle are two of the best reporters in the business. These actions won’t go overlooked in the media and Mayweather may not go down as some great villain, he’d be just a coward.
UPDATE: Bonnie Bernstein reported on Twitter that HBO representatives have Beadle’s credentials intact.
HBO source confirms @MichelleDBeadle's credential has just been cleared for Mayweather fight. Not sure about @Rachel__Nichols
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) May 2, 2015
UPDATE 2: Michelle Beadle confirms that she does have her credentials through HBO, but had already gone home:
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
And an update on Rachel Nichols absence from a CNN press list:
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 (@SIChrisMannix) May 2, 2015
(Via Michele Beadle)