Is there a media bias against Al Haymon fighters? (by Paul Magno)

We are talking about the media, not the posters on ESB.

I dont want to see it that way, but it's the nature of this particular sport. Haymon's fighters, for example Tarver, Berto, and Mayweather, all talk alot of **** and are loudmouths. But they also play a large part in thier own business dealings and have had business success in and out of the ring (moreso Tarver and PBF).

Arum's fighters in recent times, by and large, are of Hispanic (non-black) heritage. They dont talk alot of trash and they let Arum speak for them for the most part. They put forth the image of being quiet, unassuming, and humble. They also always defer to whatever Arum wishes.

The business of boxing is used to this dynamic of non whites being promoted and spoken for by thier white promoters.

When this dynamic is changed, or a black promoter/manager assumes of level of power, it has always been controversial in the boxing media.

Like I said, I dont think Race is the only reason, but I believe it to be one of the main factors. If you disagree, then state why.

 

Read Thomas Hauser's 3 part piece on the changes needed at HBO, and here some of the off the record quotes about Haymon. He is hated by everyone not named Al Haymon.

And I never said he gets attacked for no reason, I am just speaking on the general viewpoint of him in the boxing media.

 

I disagree because I don't see it. I'l conceded that doesn't mean it doesn't exsist, but I take about 20 minutes each morning before work to scour the boxing news sites. Rarely see anything about Haymon. Especially scathing or negative articles about him. Again, that doesn't mean they aren't there, but I just don't really see much on him.

 

I read that. It was more on HBO, not Haymon. He was just a tidbit mentioned due to his stranglehold on HBO.

 

Frankly, a lot of people criticize Arum to death. in fact, all promoters take their shots on the chin. Like you said, king is notorious for being a crook. I dont see anything special with haymon. To me it is a case by case basis for who gets the criticism depending on the frequency and intensity of the abuse they dish out as promoters.

 

tavoris clouds manager has said al haymon isn't the big boss everyone thinks he is, apparently theres a company even bigger who calls the shots.

 

I didn't even know Al Haymon was black. Your assesment sounds a bit more accurate. People often want to act as if there are no racial undertones behind media perception/treatment. I guess they are just strong consistent coincidences.

 

But when Arum had this same stranglehold on HBO, he got some nasty things written about him, but he was not universally hated.

And his fighters werent derided in the media for it either.

In that article, they also talk about the output deal that GBP has with HBO in a very negative manner. I believe it was a mistake as well, however when Arum had this same sort of deal with them, it was fine.

But a non white promoter having that sort of control? SCANDAL!

The same negative things were said about Don King's deal with showtime in the 90's.

Is this merely a coincidence?

I'm not saying that Haymon is getting hated on directly, but if you take a look at the articles written about his fighters, they do seem to be especially scathing. And it's hard to hate someone directly when he refuses to speak to the media or even acknowledge them.

 

That's only if you exclude any other reason he might not be liked. Bob Arum isn't liked as much either. In fact, he seems like public enemy #1. Dude's white though. The thing is, these guys often bringh about certainthings to make them unpopular, whether it's legit or based on jealousy.

 

Dude, Arum is hated more then Haymon! He's not black. To YOU, this is all about race. To YOU.

 

Race is a big issue in boxing, always has been, going back to the sport's start. Alot of things are different now, but some things are still the same. From the sports promoters and managers to the rivalries between fighters themselves, race is a big thing in boxing.

I honestly dont see how it can be seen differently, but hey, everyone's viewpoint is different.

 

But how many of Arum's fighter's get blasted in the media? I mean the legit media, not from boxing fan's websites.

And Arum plays the game with these guys, so it only gets but so bad, as no one wants to be frozen out of getting access to his fighters.

 

Because that's all you want to look at. From the very beginnning of this thread, all you've played is the race card. There are other reasons to consider, a few of which I've already spoken on.

 

Well, Bob Arum is Jewish....

 

Arum has had fighters blasted by the media since he was a promoter. Seriously, are you asking that? :huh