“During Fight Week, I was told that the Mayweather camp, the Mayweather publicists, were unhappy, and that I should watch what I say,” –Thomas Hauser.
About three years ago, “esteemed” boxing journalist Thomas Hauser was hired by HBO as a consultant. Some, like respected writer Kevin Iole, saw it as “…a dark day for boxing journalism.” Asserted Iole, you cannot be a true journalist and also a consultant to the industry which you’re covering, and that was basically what Hauser apparently did. Iole’s other point was that: HBO had silenced the man who many say had been their biggest critic in recent years by buying him out.
Tim Smith of the NY Daily News wrote, in part “…This is a real head scratcher even for people who have followed boxing for a long time. It looks like an orchestrated campaign by Hauser to get a job with HBO. And by giving him a job, HBO is admitting that his criticism was correct and he’s the only one who can fix it. Shame on both of them.”
Here was Hauser’s reply to the criticism: http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/14217-regarding-thomas-hausers-role-with-hbo-and-tss
Fast Forward
Hauser’s credential for the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao “Fight of the Century” was revoked presumably because he was critical of Mayweather. Or more specifically, in retaliation for appearing with Rachel Nichols to discuss her credential issue, and Mayweathers’ over-discussed domestic violence record.
According to an article by Sam Kalaf on DEADSPIN, . On May 1, the day before the fight, CNN’s Rachel Nichols asked Hauser if he would participate in a segment that also brought up Mayweather’s domestic violence cases. At one point, Hauser said, “Somewhere in the United States tonight, a young man—who thinks that Floyd Mayweather is a role model—will beat up a woman.”
“My credential was pulled by the promotion and if it wasn’t for Ray Stallone and HBO, I would not have been in the arena on fight night, after having it confirmed to me, in writing, on multiple occasions, that I would be in the arena on fight night,” Hauser reportedly said. See: http://deadspin.com/another-writer-says-promoters-revoked-his-may-pac-arena-1702138105
But wait, how could Hauser’s credential be jeopardized if he is a consultant to HBO which had a prominent role in this event and surely could have intervened earlier and more effectively? Or could it be that Hauser’s job with HBO is so “nebulous” that he really is not that essential? In any event, what part of chickens coming home to roost doesn’t he get?
As for others—like Steve Kim-and (initially) Nichols – who were denied access to the Fight, their reactions have run from boycotts to disappointment and jealousy—and in many cases their reactions have been quasi-valid since a clueless mainstream media was allowed full access to cover the fight.
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