Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn has filed a lawsuit against celebrity boxing icon Jake Paul over allegations that the promoter paid a judge for two big fights.
According to the TMZ Sports network, Hearn and his Matchroom Boxing company took legal action against Paul for damaging his reputation with baseless accusations in an interview he conducted on September 20.
In said interview, Jake assured that judge Glenn Feldman received money from the company for the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua, as well as for the fight between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor.
“Glenn Feldman shows up in Saudi Arabia and gives Anthony Joshua the win when we all saw that it was by no means a split decision,” Paul said in an interview with iFL TV, “clearly this guy is getting paid from Matchroom.”
In the past, Hearn and Paul worked together for the Amanda Serrano – Katie Taylor fight that broke records in women’s boxing and ended with the Irishwoman’s close split decision win in April of this year.
“It’s not an accusation I take lightly,” Paul added, “It’s pretty obvious what’s going on and they don’t even try to hide it.”
Eddie Hearn sues Jake Paul
According to TMZ, Eddie Hearn’s legal team used the video as evidence in the process. A few days later, Hearn responded to the comments by accusing the YouTuber of giving completely false statements. Hearn is seeking an amount north of 100 million dollars in damages for which he sues the YouTuber and businessman.
“Both legally and ethically there is a clear line separating opinion from defamatory lies. Jake Paul knows that, and he purposely crossed that line when he wrongly accused Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn of fixing fights,” Matchroom Boxing lawyer Frank Salzano told TMZ, “Nonetheless he was still given an opportunity to retract his defamatory statements and refused to. Now he will face the legal consequences of his actions as Matchroom and Mr. Hearn will be seeking damages in well excess of $100 million given the value and goodwill attached to the Matchroom business and the harmful nature of Mr. Paul’s comments.”
Judge Glen Feldmann has been active in boxing for 30 years and has recently seen key world championship fights with the likes of Jermell Charlo and Brian Castaño, as well as Yordenis Ugás and Errol Spence.
“I take what he said extremely personally, the accusation of corruption is unacceptable,” Hearn commented, “You are questioning our integrity and I cannot allow that in any way.”
