Trump, Taylor Pay-Cut, Lies – Hearn and DiBella go to war over Serrano fight
Katie Taylor dropped a grenade last night and the aftershock was felt across Twitter.
The undisputed lightweight champion issued a challenge to rival Amanda Serrano to step up to the plate on August 22nd after negotiations for their fight hit the rocks.
Not only did the the rare public rallying cry prompt a response from the seven-weight world champion, it kicked off an intriguing back-and-forth between the rivals’ promoters.
Both Lou Di Bella and Eddie Hearn are renowned for using social media to keep fans informed, but last night they took things to a new level as the debated all the recent events surrounding the eagerly anticipated clash of champions.
There were accusations of lies, a revelation the Irish sensation took a pay cut with ‘legacy’ in mind, some name calling, lawyer mentions, and of course reference to the pandemic.
However, it appears DiBella was trying say his fighter had not signed to fight for August 22nd, Serrano was adamant she wasn’t going to take a pay cut and Hearn was trying to explain, that whilst he discussed the possibility of a pay cut for the Puerto Rican star with her promoter, the contract sent last week was the same financially as the one signed for May 2nd.
The Matchroom boss also seemed to suggest that the contract allowed him to reschedule the bout.
The verbal sparring continued well into the AM Irish time and didn’t finish too well.
Indeed, by the time things concluded both Serrano and DiBella, who plays a part in Joe Ward’s career, seemed to suggest the fight won’t be happening in Essex on August 22nd.
-We take a look through the entire argument below:
It all began when following Taylor’s tweet, an enraged Serrano (or whoever from her team controls her Twitter account) put across her side of the story.
Yes I signed 4 contracts to fight @KatieTaylor & despite what lies @EddieHearn wants to say he offered us a purse deduction & a change of location in addition to yet another date May 2nd, July 4th now August 22nd my team will handle this. I’m Not a Toy I’m DONE WITH THE GAMES!
— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 28, 2020
Hearn was quick to counter.
Your promoter will confirm that exactly one week ago today we confirmed in writing the new date and that you would be paid the full amount that was in your contract. Yes there were two date changes due to a slight global pandemic. You have 8 weeks no excuses!
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 28, 2020
This version of events appeared to be new news for Serrano who then questioned her promoter in a string of Tweets.
My promoter told me way different shit than you’re saying. I was told either I take a purse deduction or no fight, now it magically changed Yeah OK
— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 28, 2020
@loudibella why don’t I know of your Signed Written agreement with this new change & date?
Do I even matter to you or this subject? I’m done being a Promoters TOY— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 28, 2020
I just read that @loudibella & @EddieHearn Hearns make deals on my behalf without speaking to me or my Manager. Not sure this is even Legal. You guys are discussing me you know!
I respect my manager but I’m going to have to defend myself on this one.— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 28, 2020
Hearn would then clarify that a pay-cut for Serrano had been sought but DiBella had negotiated this away as well as dismissing Serrano’s claims that the fight had been accepted on her behalf without her knowledge.
Yes we discussed the purse, he confirmed you would not take a reduction and then we confirmed last Sunday that we will pay the full amount and confirmed the new date. I also tweeted this at the time (I believe you were on the tweet).
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 28, 2020
Again incorrect, you PERSONALLY signed for the fight.
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 28, 2020
Serrano hit back, noting that her signature was for the initial fight on May 2nd at the Manchester Arena.
I signed for May 2nd. Not all these places & date changes. I’m not your toy. You run your shit not me. I never got a call or email of any changes. I deserve that Atleast!
When the fight for July was cancelled there was NO dates mentioned https://t.co/o3QxAuz6Xn— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 28, 2020
This prompted Hearn to provide a screenshot of a legal letter outlining Matchroom’s right to reschedule the bout.
Here you go, this was confirmation. It was sent Monday actually at 9.18am by our lawyer. Ofcourse, we have the right to reschedule the bout, which we now have for August 22 👍 pic.twitter.com/Bgl44SZoyL
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 28, 2020
At this point, DiBella entered the fray with a number of points.
In a since-deleted Tweet, he responded to Serrano’s question by explaining that:
“if @EddieHearn is saying I accepted the fight on your behalf, he’s lying. There is no signed written agreement for August 22 in his backyard, oral or otherwise, for Aug. 22 at the @MatchroomBoxing plantation. NEVER!!!!”
And @EddieHearn said in a @Boxingscene article that he never asked for a reduced purse nor said you wouldn’t fight otherwise. Do you want me to take our private tweets public, Edward? Stop lying. And deal with me, I’m Amanda’s promoter. Don’t antagonize her. Who are you, Trump!
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) June 28, 2020
No, she signed for a May 2 fight. She didn’t postpone it. Even though it was ridiculous, and you caused fighters to train for NO reason, you foolishly rescheduled it for early July. Amanda didn’t cancel that either. Stop acting like we’re not in a pandemic. Wtf!
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) June 28, 2020
The bickering between Hearn and DiBella continued.
I confirmed just now I discussed a reduced purse with you and when you said no I confirmed we will pay the full purse. Amanda said she never received that confirmation. Call me (again) if you want 😂
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 28, 2020
And we have the right to reschedule under the contract as you know.
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 28, 2020
You spent two weeks holding fast that you needed a purse reduction. In that period, I told Amanda that she wouldn’t fight until you could sell tickets in the UK, WHICH WAS THEN YOUR POSITION. Only at this time last Sunday did you say “full purse”.
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) June 28, 2020
9 weeks before the date when Amanda has been training throughout. She trains in the same state (NY) as Katie.
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 28, 2020
Serrano re-entered, claiming she had not been informed of the confirmation of her full purse and the new date – and therefore she signed up to participate in ExatlĂłn (essentially a Hispanic version of the TV show Superstars).
WOW I was told of a purse deduction my team declined & we were told we would have to wait for a live gate. That that came from u. I went & took a deal w/TV cause of that & now I’m in the middle of this. I respect @loudibella but I’m a person not some1’s toy. Can’t do that to me
— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 28, 2020
With talk of pay-cuts abound, Hearn then sensationally revealed that the deduction he wanted Serrano to take has since been taken by Taylor to enable the fight.
Enough for tonight.We know our position,we are 8 weeks from the fight, you have been training throughout and train in the same State as KT. Katie took YOUR purse reduction because she wants legacy. There is no reduction for you- we hope to see you for a great moment for the sport
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 28, 2020
–
Responding to DiBella’s now-deleted tweet, Serrano praised her promoter (sort of) but Hearn was quick to clarify.
This is what I wanted to hear @loudibella I guess this is @EddieHearn way of lying. I’m sticking with you no matter what. If you’re telling the truth then we’ll deal with this together. I’ll stay loyal to my team till the end. I’m done with this topic.
— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 28, 2020
🙈 no I didn’t say Lou accepted anything. We rescheduled the fight for August 22 as per our signed contract. Please read my previous tweets and the email and hopefully it’s clear.
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 28, 2020
In his final and most worrying tweets on the issue, DiBella noted the ongoing issue of the global pandemic, the difficulty Serrano (and Taylor) have in preparation, and the risk that the Fight Camp series could be cancelled.
No one is vexed about that,🤡. The fight was postponed 2X already. The pandemic is worse across in US than it’s been. The EU is talking about a travel ban. #boxing gyms are closed in NY & there’s no sparring. We all need to be reasonable. Think there’s no risk of cancellation 3?
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) June 28, 2020
No, show me where I agreed to anything? I conveyed an offer that was rejected by Amanda and her manager. After two cancellations, they didn’t want to travel to the UK, with #Covid_19 raging here, with no sparring, to fight in Eddies yard, full purse or not. I then told Eddie.
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) June 29, 2020
Serrano also returned to social media to make some further points after this side of the Pond had gone to bed but the spat, for now, had simmered down and the fight, perhaps, is further away than ever.
Yeah I never got as much as a courtesy call to say May was canceled & July 4th was on.
Then I Read July 4th was canceled & no date scheduled. Now a new date after threatening to have us wait till there was an audience.
I can’t keep up with all the BS.
Let our Lawyers work 😉— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 29, 2020
I have a Great lawyer https://t.co/msA2L9QOyI
— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 28, 2020
@EddieHearn needs to read this & stop being a bully. I signed for an amount on a specific date in a specific location. Any changes I was supposed to be notified Not be told like I’m some toy or pet.
It’s ok because it will all come out in time. Promoters need to respect fighters— Amanda Serrano 🇵🇷 (@Serranosisters) June 29, 2020
