Bush league. Unprofessional. Disorganized. Disrespectful. These are just a few of the colorful terms that describe the business practices of Atlanta promotional outfit KO Kings and its CEO, Adrian Patrick. I had the pleasure of finding this out first-hand last night while attempting to cover their promotion of Roy Jones’ comeback and first bout in Atlanta against Max Alexander.
Working regularly with fighters, managers and publicists from Golden Boy, Top Rank and other promoters these past few years made me a bit naive in assuming everyone carried that same professionalism and class. At first, I was very excited about Atlanta getting to see a name fighter. Sure, Roy Jones in 2011 is far from his prime, but I hoped a show that was presented well might open the doors for bigger fights to happen here. ATL has a strong Hip-Hop scene, but the buzz here about the Sweet Science hasn’t been high since Evander Holyfield and Vernon Forrest were at the top of their games. The closest we’ve come to a big fight in recent years was talk of Ricky Hatton fighting Juan Urango here in 2007.
If my experience with the KO Kings brand is any indication, it’s abundantly clear why there was no extensive press coverage in the city or nationwide about this event. One of the boxing sanctioning bodies referred me to a Yolanda Howard this past Monday to obtain press credentials. At first, everything seemed to be ok. We spoke on the phone and the plan was to send out the confirmation email that following day with fight night details. After not getting the email, Ms. Howard suddenly went MIA: not returning calls or emails but sparingly sending a text back saying she’d get back and of course never did. Luckily, one of the sanctioning body members stepped in and I received the below text Friday night.
“I’m sorry! Your credentials have been verified and I will put you on the list! My apologies…. I have been sooooooooo busy!” she said.
No email confirmation or a courtesy call after all the nonsense was a bad sign. Nonetheless, this was the first big name fighter in Atlanta in some time, so I chalked it up to some trial and error.
Unfortunately, my trepidation was confirmed in spades last night. Arriving early, my “press contact” Yolanda Howard was again back to not answering her phone. There was no clear area for media check-in, so after introducing myself to a few industry people I had previously only known through emails and calls, I found a seat. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, one of maybe two other press members there, summed up the atmosphere and general disarray succinctly last night on Twitter.
While waiting for the first card to start, I was approached by a man identified later as Adrian Patrick, the CEO of KO Kings and promoter for tonight’s event. The old adage about the importance of first impressions never rang more true.
“Who are you here with?”
“I’m a journalist here representing the website beatsboxingmayhem.com,” I responded calmly, already knowing from his tone where this was going.
“Well I’m the promoter and I say you can’t be here.”
“Interesting. I received my press credential confirmation from Yolanda Howard. Are you familiar with her?
“…. Um, let’s go somewhere and talk.”
I followed Mr. Patrick behind the stage and watched in bemusement as he tried to reach Ms. Howard to no avail on the phone. That made me feel somewhat better; at least I know now she ignores everyone’s calls.
“Well, if you find her and get her to talk to me you can stay,” he finally said.
Track down one of your own workers for your event to explain to you your press credential list for tonight? Looking at the clock, I realized I had the much more favorable option of making it back home in time to catch Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson, an event I just days before did media work on courtesy of my interview with Khan.
Although a commissioner attempted to smooth things over before I left, good intentions can never overcome blatant incompetence. Roy would go on last night to win a unanimous decision in a fight that received little coverage. It wasn’t all because of Roy’s current standing in boxing; asking around, I found out that dozens of other writers had tried to do media work for this event. If their treatment was anything similar to mine, it’s no wonder the buildup to this fight was atrocious.
Roy Jones’ career as a top fighter has been over for years. But what does remain with him is a deep love of the sport, and KO Kings missed a huge opportunity to make a case for bringing bigger boxing events back to Atlanta. KO Kings has been promoting in ATL for years, but if this is how they do business, why would HBO or Showtime even consider bringing a card down here? I write this, and have contacted both Patrick and Howard, in the hopes that KO Kings takes a serious look at their business practices and how they treat people, and that other promoters here in Atlanta use this as an example of how not to represent the Sweet Science.
******************************UPDATE*******************************
For those of you who asked if a resolution was reached in this matter, let’s just say that now you can add “self-hating bigot” to “inept promoter” as titles Adrian Patrick can now lay claim to. Earlier today, he went on his Facebook page (which is public like mine) to try to paint me as a ”hater” and “broke MF” just looking to get free into a show. I wasn’t bothered by it; a person will resort to personal insults when they have issues dealing with the facts of a dispute. Unfortunately, Patrick then said something that crossed all ethical lines and needed to be broadcast so everyone is aware of his true character.
After reposting my below comments response to him so everyone could be aware of both sides of the story, Patrick referred to me as a “oreo with dreads.” Let that sink in for a minute. This is a lawyer, who in the very same post claims to love “all races” and is a “proud black man.” This is a man who is in his mid 40s and you would assume has at least a decent grasp of black history and the damaging results of colorism in our community. This is also someone you’d have to assume has legally represented people my complexion and lighter from all racial backgrounds. What this clearly shows is a bigoted ignorance that goes well beyond what any rational human being, especially one of African descent in America, should be thinking in 2011.
You let someone talk long enough and you’ll get hints of their true character. Until a few hours ago I had no personal opinion of Adrian Patrick. I could only judge him, and did, on his business practices. Now, his juvenile attacks and absurd racial views let’s me and now the world know he’s an individual of zero integrity and class.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
I wondered why no one was covering this fight, now I know. Khan-Peterson was amazing anyway; Mitchell fight was exciting and the UFC card was great too. Great fight night.
Indeed, the night turned out great. No complaints on my part.
Shady boxing promoters??? Never lol
On the real though thats foul, but I would rather catch Khan v Peterson then A washed Jones, so guess it worked out… Shame to see Roy carrying on…
I herd Riddock Bowe is suppose to Be making A come back…
I really hope no one licenses Riddick Bowe. That would be horrible!
Ismael AbduSalaam, this is Adrian L. Patrick CEO of KO KINGS. I will not call you names and try to take a cheap shot at you, but I will simply speak the truth. I came to you and simply asked you a question to verify that you were confirmed as a journalist that was approved. You were not able to do that. You told me one thing about Yolanda, but I was never able to confirm that. I asked you to show me an email confirmation or anything to show me this, via your android phone. You told me that Yolanda Howard had approved you. I said can you show me on your phone the email that confirmed this. You did not do ever do this. So, in an effort to accomodate you, I took my time out to try to confirm your statement. I want you to understand that both Yolanda and I had 1,000 things to do that night. Any of the other media had specific confirmation previously. Also, you claim that there was no media coverage, perhaps that is because you are not connected. Boxingscene.com, Boxrec.com, both worldwide websites had articles/ads on their websites for over 6 weeks. We had four digiital billboards in the city, we were covered by V103, the largest radio station in Georgia: morning show for Roy Jones, Jr., over $30,000 worth of advertising on V103 constantly blasting to over 5.5 million people, WXIA, WSB, WGNX the three largest news station in Georgia all did news reports and interviews with Roy Jones, Jr. So Roy Jones, Jr did 5 interviews with the largest TV stations in Georgia organized by Adrian L. Patrick, by the way Atlanta is the #9 DMA in the country, Facebook had over 4 million impressions, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, the largest newspaper in Georgia did a special article on Roy Jones, Jr., the State of Georgia issued a press release from the Secretary of State’s Office and released it to every state media outlet in Georgia, European specific publication Europa had an ad in its online and print publication, etc. Numerous people were attempting to get into the venue free either as media or some type hooky excuse that they were connected with someone else. A simple confirmation is all I needed. You were unable to provide that. Several media people did attend without incident or had some type confirmation. Mr. AbduSalaam, I am not the one that is inept. Also, after I told you specifically to leave and buy a $20 ticket, you came back in later and tried to sneak back in. I am not the inept one. Contrary to your assertion, numerous fans loved the experience. In any promotion, there will be bumps in the road, but by in large this event was a success. Ismael AbduSalaam I will not try to dissect your job and talk bad about you, but I will say that everyone has a right to their opinion, whether they are right or wrong, in this case you are wrong and exhibited selfishness within your journalism. God Bless your Soul. Sincerely, Adrian L. Patrick, CEO of KO KINGS.
Mr. Patrick,
Just stop the nonsense. If you made as much effort to resolve the situation Saturday night as you attempted to spin in this response, there would have been no problems. You never asked for phone confirmation (which I had), you told me to go find Yolanda, somone representing your promotion who you couldn’t find or even get on the phone. Second, saying you and Yolanda had “1000″ things to do that night is no excuse for the disarray and lack of communication on her part throughout the week.
I did not attempt to sneak back in. That’s BS and you know it, making it more pathetic you’d even write that knowing there’s a third party who can confirm everything that went down. I went to say goodbyes to the boxing people I knew at the show and was asked to stay after being informed of your terrible people skills and how you usually behave at your shows. Think about that for second. And even after you spoke with a commissioner, who also received confirmation from Yolanda about my credential, you still asked me leave. So again, don’t sit here and lie.
Third, you have a comment on this very story wondering why the promotion didn’t have more coverage. Jones’ last fight, outside the country no less, had much better U.S. coverage. Like I stated here, I know dozens of other journalists who attempted to contact Ms. Howard and got the same treatment. And instead taking heed on my experience all week with Yolanda Howard and using that as an opportunity to improve how you conduct business, you simply ignore it and chose to blame me for your business disorganization and ineptness.
In the end, I’m not surprised. You will not have to worry about me ever trying to cover one of your boxing cards again. You clearly have no desire to take a critical look at how you carry yourself, your company or how Yolanda Howard represented you to media.
Take an opportunity to attend a Top Rank, Golden Boy, Lou DiBella, Gary Shaw etc. boxing card. You may learn a thing or two.
Ismael AbduSalaam
You may call Him Inept, But I have to say a ticket holder to this event….. it was a Pathetic Event !!! I for one along with many other will not be putting anymore of my money out to attend a KO Kings Event…It was a very sorry Promotion!!
Opps checking my spelling typing to fast, *as a Ticket Holder and *I for one along with many others
That’s pretty much the consensus I’ve been hearing and I can’t blame you, Thom. You could’ve stayed home and enjoyed Khan-Peterson.
If Dave and Tex had not been fighting I would have stayed Home…. Roy Jones Jr was a great boxer at one time but at 42 and fighting some no name is not worth any amount of money, Sorry Roy Jones Jr!! But with all do respect you need to leave well enough alone!
All this for a lousy $20? Really? It really shows lack of foresight when you’re willing to ruin your name and business for a lousy $20! WOW! That’s probably why its important to know who you’re dealing with before you disrespect them. But at least its good you toned down your rhetoric a little. But the racial crap is completely out of bounds. If you had any class you’d apologize for that. Personally, I wouldn’t give a 1/2 a penny to anyone of that mind set. Good luck and hopefully you learn to treat people the way you want to be treated.
I agree…..if you watched in online…..KO Kings winged it, were completely unprepared. Great article holding these jokers accountable. Made the whole event look cheap….and unfortunately, was a reflection on all of fame boxer, Roy Jones Jr. Could be an all-time low for him, IMO.
Thanks for the kind words, Kapp! This was my first and thankfully it’ll be my last dealing with that promotion.
My favorite part was when they brought out the ring girls, started announcing the names of the fighters on the 1st card……10 minutes went by, no one came out…..then realized that they didn’t even sing the National Anthem yet, ha!
Also, they complete forgot to thank one of the sponsers……parapharsing: “it’s Shield something…oh, I’ll get to it….but I know it’s someone Shield…..I’ll get to it here” as he flipped through papers for ten minutes to try to find the name of the sponsor.
This was a bad production that was kind of like an old Eddie Murphy comedy……give it up for Sexual Chocolate!!!
They had 6 MMA fights, and didn’t even have an MMA commentor……the 3 boxing guys were clueless!
Steve Headen was one of the commentators, former professional MMA fighter and a highly regarded BJJ black belt instructor. Maybe he didn’t get speak much maybe he not a good commentator but to say he is clueless is completely incorrect.
Second KO kings event I’ve been too and both where trash. The other guys out here that do shows at the buckhead theatre Rock. They have great fights, better ring card girls, and are far more organized. Embarrassed for Roy Jones but more embarassed for Atlanta.
Appreciate you checking in, Jeff. “Embarassed for Atlanta” is a great way to sum it up. Like you mentioned, we thankfully have other promoters here trying to uplift the sport.
An “oreo with dreads”?! Just proves that no amount of education can fix stupid/ignorant.
Indeed, Heath. He showed his true colors when he said that to me. What made it even more absurd is using that bigoted insult right after saying he’s a “proud black man.” SMH
Yea, I can’t call it, man. He might want to look into hiring a PR firm. Ha. I don’t know the man but clearly that is out of bounds.
Mr. Patrick,
When the words “bitch”, “oreo” and “punk azz” are used in reply to a business-related complaint, you do not represent yourself as a legitimate business person.
I have no idea what kind of event you ran. But as lifelong fan of boxing, an avid reader of this site, and an opponent of ignorance and racism – I will not be spending my dollars with KO Kings.
Perhaps others who feel the same way will follow suit.
Totally Uncalled for comments by Mr Patrick, But does not surprise me one bit after attending the event. I am following suit, along with many others I have spoken to….. IMO it just goes to show you that he was more concerned about Capitalizing on Mr Jone’s!!!
Far be it from me to judge anyone’s character or intelligence, but if I were him, I don’t think I’d put that stuff all out there in a public forum. I can’t imagine the Bar Association would look too kindly upon a member acting that way.