Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn takes some time to talk to Fight Hub TV about his thoughts on the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson card, including his fighter Katie Taylor who edged a close decision over Amanda Serrano in the main event. While Hearn lauded the performance of both women in their fight, it also plainly said the main event itself was difficult to watch.
Hearn on the Taylor vs Serrano fight
“If we’re being honest, Katie’s not as fresh as he once was, and she’s having to grind out these victories with the biggest heart you could ever see in the ring. And I thought it was another tremendous fight and when (Taylor) got the decision I was just overwhelmed with emotion to see her get it and I’m so happy for her.
“I thought the scorecards we spot on, 95-94. I thought she just slightly out-boxed her in the first half of the fight and I thought she out-fought her in the back end of the fight. Both fighters were fantastic, Serrano is a legend of the sport, she’s a tremendous fighter, but I thought we deserved it. But if it was a draw and if it was 95-94 the other way you could see it.”
On his beef with MVP promotions’ Nakisa Bidarian
“I had words with Nakisa after the fight because I felt there was a lot of disrespectful things said about Katie during the fight, stuff away from just cheering on, and it was just like pure emotion. And I said to him ‘look, if you feel like I over-celebrated, I’m sorry, but I didn’t like what I heard. I don’t think they should’ve said it, I probably shouldn’t have done that as well, but that’s just me, that’s just like what it means to me.”
On the main event between Paul and Tyson
“I didn’t really watch it, I was in Katie’s changing room, she was getting stitched up. I watched the first 30 seconds which were quite entertaining and then afterwards it was just horrible to watch. Did you enjoy watching most of that fight? It was hard to watch, but it was always going to be like that. But it doesn’t have to be — they’re not making this for me. Look how many people turned up, look at how many people tuned in, so I can’t knock it. It’s just not for me and that’s not disrespectful.
“I love boxing, I don’t want to see Mike Tyson stuck in quicksand, and he showed unbelievable heart by the way. No one wants to see that happen to Mike Tyson…He came out like a raging bull but after that he was gassed. But Mike’s a legend and he showed a load of heart but you just don’t need to see it, man.”