Awkward moment Eddie Hearn ‘isn’t welcome’ at Katie Taylor press conference before manager threatens to walk out
EDDIE HEARN was told he was not welcome at Katie Taylor’s press conference amid his legal spat with Jake Paul.
But he managed to get up on stage after the Bray bruiser’s manager threatened to walk out and boycott the chat with the media.
Taylor, 38, and Amanda Serrano, 36, put on another blockbuster bout in the final fight of the Paul vs Mike Tyson undercard in Texas.
The ten-round belter – a thrilling rematch of their 2022 classic – saw both women end up covered in blood.
But just like at Madison Square Garden, Taylor got the result with the judges – this time with a unanimous decision despite being docked a point for headbutting her opponent.
However, that call sparked plenty of controversy.
Firstly, many fans accused the fight of being “rigged” and even the commentator suggested the result would “be an asterisk on Taylor’s legacy”.
But secondly, it prompted a wild reaction from Hearn inside the ring as SunSport video footage captured him jumping up and celebrating when his star retained her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring female light-welterweight world titles.
Following the main event – which saw Paul easily defeat an ageing Tyson – the stars were called in to press.
Hearn, though, was initially stopped from joining Taylor at the table – as he battles Paul in court.
Hearn and Paul are locked in a $100million lawsuit and will go head to head in front of a US judge next month after the Matchroom chief sued the Problem Child over comments about boxing judge Glenn Feldman.
A video from behind the scenes at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington posted online showed Hearn being denied entry.
Hearn can be seen telling someone off camera: “Okay then, we’ll leave it [the press conference],” as a bemused Taylor started walking off.
He then told one of Taylor’s team that “they just want the fighter” for the presser.
But manager Brian Peters was having none of it, hitting back: “Are you joking? Are you out of your mind?
“Everyone else gets three people up. Don’t be acting.
“Three people go up or not at all. Come on, big boy, make your decision now.”
Hearn interjected: “It’s fine, don’t worry, we’ll leave it.”
But Peters continued: “Come on, three go up or not at all.
“Your call. Very simple. Make it, come on big boy.”
The unknown male tried to suggest Taylor did the press conference on her own but that did not cut it – as Peters insisted: “No.
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson round-by-round
MIKE TYSON's long-awaited return to the ring didn't have the fairytale ending fight fans dreamed of.
SunSport’s boxing expert Wally Downes Jr recaps one of the drabbest and most forgettable nights in boxing history.
And he didn’t hold back, issuing a scathing assessment of social media sensation Jake Paul.
Round One
Paul says “I love you, Mike” just before the opening bell sounds. He quickly runs away and holds the boxing legend.
Tyson draws a big reaction from the crowd as he lands a jab and a good right hand.
Verdict: 10-9 Tyson
Round Two
Paul ran away in the opener and held – just like we thought he would.
Tommy Fury had it first and now Mike Tyson. It’s clever because Tyson will tire. Paul tags Tyson’s body with a straight right.
Tyson looks spent now. 180 seconds in and the fight looks over.
Verdict: 10-9 Tyson
Round Three
The legend cannot even keep his gumshield in. As expected it’s a waste of time. Paul has run away until the 58-year-old has tired.
Shooting ducks in a barrel now. Tyson might get hurt here. Paul lands a couple of clumsy shots and Tyson wobbles backwards.
Tragic after three.
Verdict: 10-9 Paul
Round Four
This is proper rubbish. The crowd are bored and boos are being heard.
This is just two tired big lumps going at it. One a legend, one a promoter.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Five
Paul jabs the body and aims right for the head and another one-two clips the icon.
Tyson cannot keep his mouthpiece in, he is gasping for air. Paul lands a left hook but then so does Tyson.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Six
Thank God these weren’t three-minute rounds. We are getting about four punches per round.
Tyson is gasping in the air but replays show a left hook did graze Paul’s beard.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Seven
Tyson slips a jab and tries an uppercut. The commentator admits it has been a “sad” spectacle.
The AT&T stadium has been utterly stunk out. Paul is looking just as tired as Tyson.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
Round Eight
Go back to YouTube, Jake. You’re an excellent conman. But you’ve never been a boxer.
The Judges decide: 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73. I’m glad Tyson gets paid and has stayed safe.
But what a laughable performance from Paul to add to his stinker with Tommy Fury.
Verdict 10-9 Paul
SunSport’s final scorecard – 78-74 for Jake Paul
Click to read the full round-by-round breakdown.
“She’s going up with the two of us, that’s the way it’s going.”
Hearn then slipped past the officials, said a polite hello to the gathered journalists, and took his seat alongside Taylor and her coach Ross Enamait.
Explaining his behaviour in the ring, the promoter said: “If they would have won, they would have gone absolutely mental like me.
“I went mental. I made an idiot out of myself. I said to the geezer, ‘If I offended anyone, I apologise.’ But that’s just what it meant to me.
“And I’m never gonna not show that emotion because the journey we’ve been on has just been incredible and I wanted her to win so badly.
“I worried, if it was close, if we would get the decision and also probably in the build-up, a lot of big fights going against us.
“Israil Madrimov against Terence Crawford close, Bivol-Beterbiev close.
“And it’s like, ‘When are we gonna get the rub of the green in one of these big fights?’
https://twitter.com/SunSport/status/1857640536661709082“And I thought we deserved it, and we got it, and it was just sweet as a nut.”
However, the antics did not go unnoticed by Paul’s team, who also look after the defeated Serrano.
The Problem Child’s manager Nakisa Bidarian confronted Hearn in the ring and later added: “Look, we had a policy that no promoters were coming in the ring for this event.
“There was probably a month of continuous emails through different parts of our team trying to get some extra credentials and to allow Eddie to be in the ring with Katie, but I never had heard it from Katie or Katie’s team.”
He continued: “Katie said, ‘Yes, I would definitely love for Eddie to be in the ring.’
“And immediately I said, ‘Absolutely no problem.’
“How he conducted himself in the ring, that’s not how we conduct ourselves, but that’s okay.
“He showed emotion. She won a very close fight. No problem. We move on.”