Eddie Hearn has admitted that Jake Paul would "chin" him if the pair's friendly rivalry were to ever end up in a boxing ring.
The Matchroom Boxing boss at times got testy with YouTube star and 5-0 professional boxer Paul during their co-promotion of last month's Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano fight. However, Hearn doesn't want to settle their differences in the ring, knowing that it wouldn't end well for him.
Famously, the Brit sparred his fellow Matchroom executive Frank Smith earlier this year, with footage being leaked of him dropping the promotion's CEO. But he broke his finger and required an operation during the few rounds they shared, and he has put his own plans inside the ring on hold for now.
“You’re not going to see me in the ring unless the money is right,” Hearn told TalkSPORT earlier this week. “I thought about calling Jake Paul out but, then again, I would get chinned and that would be embarrassing.”
Instead, Hearn joked, he may set his sights on 90-year-old Bob Arum, as he isn't confident of his chances against 56-year-old Leonard Ellerbe either. His relationship with Arum has been solid, if at times difficult, over the years, but he and Ellerbe do not see eye-to-eye at all.
“I thought about Leonard Ellerbe but he’s a bit older. He’d probably chin me as well,” Hearn joked. “I could beat Bob Arum. I mean, he’s 90. It is bad when I’m a slight favourite to beat Bob Arum at 90. No, I can’t fight, and you won’t be seeing me in the ring unless the money is right.”
Hearn and Paul did share a bet heading into the massive fight between Taylor and Serrano, with the losing promoter having to fork over seven-figures to the winner. However, soon after publicly announcing their wager, they were advised that people involved in fights shouldn't be gambling on them, and opted to take a more private approach.
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It has been talked about that had Taylor lost, Hearn may have had to have a sparring session with Paul. But luckily for the Brit, his Irish fighter did the business and Paul may now end up having to face Cheavon Clarke per Hearn's request.
As it stands, Paul is currently preparing for his own ring return on August 13. Clarke is likely not to be the opponent, despite publicly calling him out, with the YouTuber instead more likely to take on the likes of Tommy Fury or Anderson Silva when he gets back to action.
He has yet to name an opponent for his next ring outing, with Fury, Silva and rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams all named in the mix, but he will be back before the end of the summer. Two weeks later, his old rival KSI will make his own return, looking to set up an eventual meeting with Paul.
