Eddie Hearn has filed a lawsuit against YouTube star Jake Paul after he alleged the promoter had bribed a boxing judge.
Paul made the claim in an interview last week, accusing Hearn of paying a judge on two separate occasions. Hearn denied the allegations and threatened to sue the 25-year-old, and TMZ now reports the suit has been filed, claiming Paul "made outrageously false and baseless allegations".
Hearn is seeking damages in excess of $75,000 (£69,000) and claimed Paul's accusations are "outlandishly false". Speaking to iFL last week, Paul alleged: "This type of s***, I’m going to call it out here in boxing because it’s bull***. Clearly, this guy is getting paid money by Matchroom Boxing."
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@IFLTV)Hearn later alluded to possible legal action when he said: " Jake Paul is good for boxing in many ways but he can also be terrible in many ways. He doesn't still have the respect for the industry and history of the sport of boxing.
"What he said in terms of his allegations of corruption... is totally unacceptable. We all have a laugh with Jake with the average fighter stuff, but I can tell you now what he said is unacceptable and it will be dealt with. We take our values as a business and a family very seriously, so for him to come out with idiotic comments is extremely harmful to me and us as a business.
"Jake's comments will be dealt with appropriately, and I am not prepared as I would be on many occasions to take it with a pinch of salt on this occasion. It is bang out of order and totally disrespectful to the sport of boxing and to us and I take it personally as they are questioning our credentials and our integrity and I won't have it. He may not care but I do.
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Getty Images)"[He] is questioning not just the integrity of Matchroom Boxing' and he doesn't even understand it when he says 'Why do Matchroom choose that judge?' We don't choose the judge you idiot. As I say sometimes it is a laugh but this isn't and it will be dealt with."
Hearn and Paul worked together to promote Katie Taylor's undisputed clash with Amanda Serrano in April, which the Irishwoman won by split decision. The promoters' relationship has soured since then however, with Hearn branding the YouTuber's boxing career "average".
