Eddie Hall says rival Hafthor Bjornsson smeared him with ‘lies’ for years over World’s Strongest Man cheat scandal
EDDIE HALL says rival Hafthor Bjornsson has been smearing him with ‘lies’ for years over the 2017 World’s Strongest Man cheat scandal after new footage came to light.
British behemoth Hall, nicknamed ‘The Beast’, will fight Icelandic giant Bjornsson, who played Ser Gregor ‘The Mountain’ Clegane in Game of Thrones, in a Las Vegas boxing showdown later this year after their war of words spilled over last summer.
Bjornsson, 32, set a new deadlift world record with a weight of 501kg from his home gym – sparking fury from previous holder Hall, 33.
The Brit questioned whether Thor’s deadlift should count due to it not being held in a competitive environment.
And Bjornsson responded by challenging Hall to a seven-figure boxing match, with the pair now in training despite the fight not taking place until September 2021.
Their bad blood goes back almost three years to World’s Strongest Man in 2017, which saw Hall become the first Brit to win the prestigious event since Gary Taylor in 1993.
He narrowly beat Bjornsson, who fights Irishman Steven Ward tonight, to first place in Botswana.
But Thor has since alleged he was ‘cheated’ by Hall and British ref Colin Bryce during the Viking press event.
Bjornsson, who won WSM in 2018, looked far from happy on the final podium after telling people he was “robbed”.
However, new footage has emerged showing the moment Bjornsson lost the Viking press to Hall by a single point after having his final rep disqualified.
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Competitors must do as many presses as possible within a one-minute time limit.
There can only be one push on each rep, with legs locked straight to prevent a second illegal movement known as ‘double dipping’.
And Bjornsson has always contested his final rep was wrongly taken away by Bryce, therefore handing Hall the victory.
But new video shows Bjornsson DID have bent legs as he looked to match Hall’s 14 presses, using a second movement in the process.
Bryce ruled it illegal and took the rep away from Bjornsson, giving Hall the win and setting him on his way to a historic triumph.
Staffordshire native Hall published the footage to his Instagram page, claiming Bjornsson has spent years smearing his name with allegations of cheating and explaining exactly why they will be squashing their beef in Sin City next year.
Hall said: “When I achieved my dream of winning World’s Strongest Man three years ago, I couldn’t get wait to get back to Britain to thank everyone and share the title.
“Before I even got home to my friends and family to tell them the news, one man took bad sportsmanship to a whole new level and it was plastered all over the world’s media.
“This is a quote from Hafthor Bjornsson: ‘I was robbed.’
“For the last three years, instead of answering questions about how I defeated some of the greatest strongmen to ever live, Hafthor included, instead I had people questioning whether I really won it or not.
“Hafthor Bjornsson and his entourage have been smearing my title and the referee Colin Bryce’s reputation for the last three years.
“Because he was the Mountain from Game of Thrones, a huge TV star, people listened and people believed him.
“I’ve had enough of the doubters saying he was robbed and how hard done by he was.
“So today, I came across a video that ends all the smack talk and silences the doubters.
“This video stopped me in my tracks for how desperate a man can be when things don’t go his way.
“It’s time for the truth to be told, for the picture to do the talking.
“Hafthor Bjornsson, you and your yes men should be ashamed of yourselves.
“Words are cheap and I’m sick and tired of hearing the lies coming out of your mouths.
“You used to be a good man and believe it or not, I used to classify you as a friend.
“But you’ve been poisoned by your yes men.”
Hall, who recently lost his grandmother, vowed to “rip [Bjornsson’s] f***ing head off” after signing his contract for the boxing match.
And he has now been offered training by legendary strongman-turned-MMA fighter Mariusz Pudzianowski.
The Pole won a record FIVE World’s Strongest Man titles before turning his hand to professional mixed martial arts, where he has an impressive record of 13 wins from 21 fights.
‘Pudzian’ wrote on Insta: “Eddie must win this fight. You’re my favourite.
“I can help you with training to fight. Only training with me is hard and not light.”
Hall responded: “Thanks Mr Pudz, I hope to come train with you soon.”
Meanwhile, Bjornsson is being put through his paces by ex-boxer Skuli Armannsson.
He was the first-ever professional Icelandic boxer and fought in a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic games.
Armannsson had just one pro fight in 2008, which he won against Caleb Nelson on the undercard of former light heavyweight Zac Walters.
However, Bjornsson did get a cheeky offer from none other than YouTuber Logan Paul, who lost two boxing fights against British rival KSI.
Paul asked: “Need a sparring partner?”
Bjornsson replied: “You wanna spar with me champ?”