Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Michelle Beadle, Rachel Nichols Not Banned from Fight

Despite claims that CNN's Rachel Nichols and ESPN's Michelle Beadle have been banned from covering Saturday night's fight between Floyd "Money" Mayweather and Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao, Mayweather's public relations practitioner is saying that isn't the case.

Nichols tweeted Saturday that Mayweather's camp was blocking her and Beadle from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas:

Nichols later released a statement on the matter:

"

Have had a bunch of folks asking questions about the Mayweather issue. Here's what happened: After asking tough questions of Floyd Mayweather on my program, I was not offered press credentials to cover tonight's fight. 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.

"

The CNN reporter then posted footage of an interview she conducted with Mayweather in which she questioned him about his past issues with domestic violence, perhaps speculating this was the reason for her alleged ban:

Also, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported that Mayweather's camp denied Martin Rogers of USA Today a credential, noting that Rogers has written about domestic violence in sports previously:

Kelly Swanson of Swanson Communications denies that anyone is being prevented from covering one of the biggest fights in boxing history, however:

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times was informed that Beadle will be cleared to observe the matchup:

Bonnie Bernstein of Campus Insiders confirmed Pugmire's report but hasn't yet heard anything on Nichols' status:

Jeremy Schaap of ESPN provided details on the decision regarding Beadle's credential, reporting that Mayweather's camp had her blocked on Friday night. Top Rank then appealed the decision, which was reversed.

Schaap also talked to a source at Showtime, who said the network had nothing to do with Beadle's credential issues but that it only denied her permission to film inside the arena. 

Despite Beadle being cleared, she tweeted that she will not be in attendance, saying: "After hearing my credential was pulled, I went home. Told this morning that HBO was able to get it re-approved late last night."

Mannix had more on Nichols, tweeting that on the most recent seating chart, Nichols was not on the list as a credentialed reporter.

Schaap elaborated on the situation regarding Nichols, reporting that she had a temporary credential but that it was never confirmed that she would need a fight credential, leading to a "misunderstanding." 

The flurry of tweets supporting Beadle and Nichols were the reason they were given their credentials, according to Jason McIntyre of the Big Lead: "From someone close to Pac-May: The tsunami of tweets today is 100% why Beadle/Nichols got credentials reinstated."

Mayweather's past legal issues have been a hot topic of conversation leading up to his clash with Pacquiao.

Any link between that and the alleged limiting of who can cover the fight is merely speculation at this point, but it appears as though fight organizers are doing everything possible to smooth things over.  

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