‘It’s on, baby!’ – Eddie Hearn contradicts talk of Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano money issues
The ‘biggest fight in female boxing history’ is back on again according to Eddie Hearn.
Seven-weight nine-time world champion Amanda Serrano [38(28)-1(0)-1] officially declared she wouldn’t be trading leather with Katie Taylor [15(6)-0] in August on Friday night.
The decorated puncher’s manager and coach, Jordan Maldonado, claimed his fighter was offered 50% less than was on the table when the fight was initially agreed and scheduled for May 2nd and the Manchester Arena.
As a result, he stated that the New York based Puerto Rican wouldn’t be coming to England to fight on Matchroom’s Fight Camp series in their head office’s grounds (Hearn’s childhood back garden) on August 15th.
“They’re offering us the fight for August but removing almost 50% of Amanda’s purse. However, they are taking less from Taylor. We understand there is a situation around the world with COVID-19 and there are changes in the boxing platform, but big fights are big fights”, said Maldonado.
“Many important fights are delayed until fans can come back to attend the events. If we accept this new offer, we’d be creating a new negative precedent in female boxing, after so many women have worked so hard to heighten the level of the sport,” he added.
However speaking online last night, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn says the fight is back on.
Replying to a series of tweets Serrano’s promoter Lou DiBella sent in response to Irish-boxing.com coverage of the negotiations, Hearn suggested the original offer remains on the table and fight is back on.
The refreshingly outspoken DiBella pointed out there was no contract signed for August 15th and suggested it was up to Matchroom to decide if the fight was viable or not without a gate.
The promoter who works alongside Joe Ward also indicated Serrano wasn’t obligated to take pay cut and wouldn’t be taking one.
Hearn responded by saying there would be “no pay cut” and suggested the fight is back on, with a reported $290,000 purse for Serrano.
No pay cut for Amanda – it’s on baby 👌🏽
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 21, 2020
Hearn then followed up, stating that he has reached out to DiBella privately regarding the fight.
While the specifics remain unclear, it would appear that the DAZN-backed English promoter is willing to stay true to the initial contract.
As a result, with the issue of money seemingly overcome, we should be just weeks away from a massively anticipated fight between two world class talents.
