Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn each bet $1 million on Katie Taylor’s fight Amanda Serrano on Saturday. [Image: Facebook/Madison Square Garden]
Women’s boxing history
Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn each bet $1 million in Saturday’s title fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.
The first woman to ever make the headlines at Madison Square Garden
The bout, considered the largest in women’s boxing history, is the first woman to ever make the headlines at Madison Square Garden. It’s got a horde of attention and, as a result, a “friendly” bet between the two promoters pushing the fight.
Taylor is a multi-time world and European champion, Olympic gold medalist, and undisputed world lightweight champion, while Serrano is a seven-weight world champion and has been certified as a Guinness World Record holder.
Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn deliver again
Any big boxing fight is only as tempting as its mob – and that’s a lesson fighters have learned since the fight became popular.
Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather have mastered the art of theatrical fighting, flaunting lavish clothes and exorbitant amounts of money while subtly harassing their opponents. Eddie Hearn and Jake Paul took note and did their best to build up the hype and fill the seats.
Hearn is an intelligent and well-spoken British promoter who has appeared everywhere in recent years. He supports Taylor, an Irish national who enters a poor rank.
Paul, on the other hand, is a former internet nerd turned outcast who became a fighting enthusiast. He and his brother Logan appeared in professional fights against the likes of Mayweather, Tyrone Woodley, and Ben Askerin, among others. Supports Paul Serrano, who signed his most valuable promotions.
Paul’s theatrical performances weren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they caught the eye into the fighting world. He was also the first to raise the issue of betting on the event.
I have a bet for you, Eddie.”
“I have a bet for you, Eddie,” Paul told a crowd of reporters at Thursday’s briefing.
“I don’t have tattoos,” Hearn interjected, referring to Paul’s deal with Woodley before the rematch.
“I bet all the jewelry I’m wearing now that Amanda wins the fight,” Paul replied, prompting Hearn to say he “was hoping to bet on a lot more.”
“I mean, ten thousand is not a lot,” Hearn said.
Soon, the American proposed a $500,000 bet, which Hearn then doubled. The two shook hands and the bet was upped. Paul said he would give a million Hearn to Cyrano after her win.
Smash Taylor Cyrano’s fight
Taylor and Cyrano are the two highest ranked fighters in the women’s boxing world rankings. The former is leading with a score of 19-0, while the latter is just behind him 42-1-1. Taylor had six knockouts compared to Serrano’s 30.
The winner will become the undisputed lightweight champion
Early estimates assumed Taylor was the favourite, although Vegas has since shifted and made Cyrano the odds winner. The victor will become the undisputed lightweight champion and the highest ranked boxer in the world.
Both participants have been out of the ring since mid-December when they each scored unanimous decision victories. Taylor is the most technical and defensive fighter, while Cyrano is a bruise.
Paul and Hearn’s roles in the crowd helped reconcile the excitement and credentials of the fighters. Their big bet, presumably prearranged, is just the cherry on top.
Hearn and Paul have been invested from the start, but their latest interaction will add a whole new layer of tension come Saturday night. The main event is expected to begin around 10:30 PM ET, depending on the bottom card.
