May 05, 2010 – I don’t get it.
I grew up learning that it is proper to treat people in the manner in which they treat you.
Manners are very important and treating people with respect is key to creating long-lasting, real relationships in this world.
It’s funny how people not even associated with the boxing world… simply bystanders and fans that observe on the sidelines have to come to know Kelly Swanson as “that old whiny witch”.
Don’t get mad at me… I’m simply quoting the observers.
Throughout the weigh-in for Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Shane Mosley, Swanson could be seen and most importantly heard barking orders like a pea-brained drill sergeant at anybody that would listen to her. Perhaps if she was more organized and focused on her work, she wouldn’t have to be so vocally obnoxious to the millions of viewers across the world.
It was quite amusing seeing the numerous twitter comments following the weigh-in asking… “Who in the hell was that old lady that messed up the weigh-in?”
I mean seriously… would anyone outside of this strange boxing world even think of hiring Mrs. Swanson or her “PR” firm after seeing the way she acts in such an unprofessional manner? It is a complete and utter embarrassment to the sport that we would employ such an obviously inept person to do this simple job.
Repeat… an EMBARRASSMENT to the sport.
Most of the boxing media just takes their licks from Kelly and just grumble under their breaths due to the always dangerous “credential spanking” that these shell firms threaten them with. Here at The Boxing Truth we could really care less about things of that nature as we have no desire to bend over backwards to please moronic people with no manners.
Hell… I know of an amusing story in which some boxing fan attempted to contact Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions in order to clarify some rumors that had been circulation. Kelly Swanson would then proceed to call this fan back and berate them for even attempting to address the situation directly with Richard.
I didn’t understand that it was a PR firms’ job to verbally abuse boxing fans and turn them away from the sport.
I understand that Floyd Mayweather Jr. employs the services of Kelly Swanson but I truly believe that Floyd would be in much better hands working with the likes of Debbie Kaplan or Mario Serrano. I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with Debbie but she’s actually a decent person when it comes down to it. Mario is a very good boxing PR person that knows how to treat everyone within the media world and would be my go-to guy if I was in charge of managing a fighter.
Let me give Kelly Swanson a few words of advice:
Dear Kelly,
It is unnecessary to strut around like a self-important peacock when attending boxing events. Nobody is there to see you and their day would probably go alot better if they didn’t see you at all.
Alot of those within the boxing media spend their own hard-earned dollars attending events, weigh-ins, and press conferences to support the sport that they love so it makes no sense that you would treat these people in the manner with which you so vehemently do. There is absolutely no reason to talk to people in such a disrespectful or condescending manner.
Where I come from, if you disrespect a person, they have every right to disrespect you back.
While I understand that you must feel very powerful in your position being that you can influence the thumbs up or thumbs down when it comes to interviews and event credentials, you’re a very dispensible figure within the sport. Media contact lists are not difficult to come by and there are numerous PR firms that can duplicate what you attempt to do only cheaper, better, more organized, provide a beautiful looking staff, and most importantly… treat people with courtesy and respect.
I just wanted to let you know that your style is getting played out and very quickly at that.
Boxing doesn’t need you at all… you need boxing.
I’d appreciate it if you sent a mass e-mail to all the boxing media apologizing for your actions and that you have vowed to change your attitude and the way in which you address them.
It’s been a long-time coming and I think you owe them an apology.
What’s that?
You feel as though you’re above apologizing to those that you’ve treated in a very disrespectful manner? How proud you must be to carry yourself with such a pompous attitude.
I’m proud to say that I was raised correctly and would undoubtedly apologize to anyone that I unjustly crossed.
Thank you very much. Have a nice day… and keep patting yourself on the back for getting the newspaper guy to write a 50-world blurb on boxing that goes in the bottom corner on page 7 that 24 people actually took the time to read. We all remember how effective that was in getting that Affiliction MMA organization booming and well off the ground… aren’t they non-existent today?
In any case, I just thought that you’d appreciate the honesty and realize that The Boxing Truth has no problems telling you exactly how we feel. I look forward to your apology letter to my boxing brothers… thank you and have a nice day.
Love,
John Chavez aka “The Boxing Bookie”
PS. Kelly Swanson is the woman that had no problem turning down the Filipino media during the Mayweather-Mosley press conference in Los Angeles. This was sent to the following e-mail addresses. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
