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Jake Paul has found himself in a legal battle with British promoter Eddie Hearn, and he's now firing back with a counter-lawsuit, accusing Hearn of attempting to stifle his freedom of speech through intimidation. The feud traces back to 2022 when Paul's client, Amanda Serrano, faced Katie Taylor in a closely contested bout that ended in a split decision victory for Taylor.
The outcome didn't sit well with Paul, who openly criticized the decision and suggested foul play. He specifically accused judge Glenn Feldman of bias.
"Clearly [Glenn Feldman] is getting paid money by Matchroom Boxing," Paul said. "It's just so blatantly obvious and they're not even trying to hide it."
In response, Eddie Hearn filed a defamation lawsuit against Paul, seeking $100 million in damages. He labeled Paul's comments as "outrageously false," and demanded that the video of the interview be taken down. Initially, Paul attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
Paul countersued Hearn
Now, Paul has decided to take the fight to the courts by counter-suing Hearn. According to a report from TMZ, Paul's legal team is invoking New York's Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) laws, arguing that Hearn's lawsuit was an attempt to intimidate and silence him.
Anti-SLAPP laws are meant to protect individuals from being targeted with frivolous legal claims designed to suppress free speech.
As the case heads towards a pre-trial phase, the legal battle could impact Paul's training and preparation for his bout.
The financial and emotional toll of the lawsuit is also a concern, but despite the challenges, the 27-year-old remains optimistic about both his legal and boxing prospects.
Paul is set to face Mike Tyson in a boxing match scheduled for Friday, November 15, 2024, and it remains to be seen if the million-dollar countersuit against Hearn could affect it.