Eddie Hearn Rejects $1m Bet Winnings From Jake Paul After Katie Taylor Victory

Eddie Hearn has rejected his $1m bet winnings from Jake Paul following Katie Taylor's victory over Amanda Serrano.

Taylor extended her unbeaten professional record to 21-0 with a split decision win over Serrano in their historic undisputed lightweight title fight at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Before the fight, Serrano's promoter Paul challenged Hearn, who is Taylor's representative, to a $1m bet - with both men confident that their fighter would win.

However, following Taylor's victory, Hearn has turned down the money - urging Paul to donate the sum to charity instead.

“He can keep it, give it to charity. We agreed beforehand, because it didn’t go down very well with certain people,” Hearn told iFL TV.

“Promoters shouldn’t be betting on the fight. We’ve got another something that we’re working on, charity-related.

“We’ll maybe make that fight [Jake Paul vs Cheavon Clarke] off the back of the bet.”

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul is planning his own return to the ring after beating former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in their rematch in December.

Hearn and Paul co-promoted Taylor's fight with Serrano (Image: PA)

Paul claimed earlier this week that he could beat any fighter in Hearn's Matchroom Boxing stable who has had less than 10 professional fights.

Hearn challenged Paul to face British Olympian Cheavon Clarke, who won his professional debut in November.

Hearn also joked that he would face Paul in the ring himself if he was offered $10m for the fight.

"It's a shame I can't fight because it would do big numbers. It would be massive," Hearn said.

"In the UK, there’s so many people that want to see me get knocked out. It would do like two million pay-per-view buys in the UK.

Taylor successfully defended her lightweight titles with a split decision win (Image: PA)

"And if I lose the bet, then I’ll take $10m to fight Jake Paul, and I just take the UK pay-per-view. He can have all the other revenue around the world."

Hearn added: "There was a stage where I believed I would easily beat Jake Paul. But I'm not so sure now. I do think he’s improved."

Hearn then called Paul an "average" fighter, which the American took exception to.

"You know if we fought, it’d be 30 seconds," said Paul.

Hearn fired back: "I disagree. You would be a big favourite. I’m terrible. But like I said, for $10m, I’d do it."