JAKE PAUL’S manager hit back at “hypocrite” Eddie Hearn after the boxing promoter slammed the Mike Tyson fight.
YouTuber-turned boxer Paul and heavyweight icon Tyson are set to clash on July 20 in Texas despite the 30-year age gap.
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Hearn – who promoted Katie Taylor’s super-fight against Amanda Serrano alongside Paul – was quick to talk down Tyson’s return.
He told iFL TV: “I guess if you criticise it you’re a hater, aren’t you?
“So I’m probably not the best person to ask because I love the sport of boxing. I find it incredibly sad, but it’s a big event, you can’t deny that.
“But is he 60 yet, Mike Tyson? 58? Something like that. One of the greatest fighters that ever lived.
“But I’m one of a small per cent of absolute mad boxing lovers that it actually breaks my heart to see that.”
Hearn was in Saudi Arabia at the time of the comments to promote Anthony Joshua’s fight with ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
But days before AJ’s knockout win, the Matchroom Boxing chief expressed interest in Manny Pacquiao, 45, facing Conor Benn, 27.
PacMan has not fought professionally since 2021 and Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian was quick to call out Hearn.
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He said on social media: “It’s incredibly ironic and, as usual, hypocritical of Eddie Hearn to talk negatively about another event.
“Eddie was standing between Manny Pacquiao, a very small-statured 45-year-old man, and his next opponent, a 27-year-old Matchroom fighter who has had issues getting licensed in the UK to box again. It’s incredibly sad.
“He spends more time speaking about other people’s business than he does tending his own.”
Benn in 2022 failed two pre-fight drug tests before his would-be fight with Chris Eubank Jr, 34, and he has been fighting to clear his name ever since.
He is currently without a British Boxing Board of Control licence after his clearance by UKAD was appealed.
The BBBoC’s appeal with UKAD is ongoing with all parties believed to be awaiting a result.
If UKAD refuse to overturn their initial decision, Benn will be free to box in Britain again.
Meanwhile, Tyson, 57, retired in 2005 only to return in 2020 for an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr, which ended in an eight-round draw.
And Paul, 27, is 9-1 as a boxer and suffered his only defeat to Tommy Fury, 24, in February 2023 but he has won three since.
The exact rules and regulations surrounding the controversial clash with Tyson are yet to be confirmed as Netflix make their first move into boxing.
But Bidarian took to social media to insist no headguards will be worn during the fight – denying rumours that had been circling.
He posted: “Unequivocally there is no headgear for Paul vs Tyson. Haters spreading fake news but it won’t stop the 10’s of millions of views.”
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