Jake Paul has another problem on his hands.
ESPN reports that “The Problem Child” is now being sued by boxing judge Glenn Feldman, who joins Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn in a defamation lawsuit stemming from Paul accusing Hearn of fixing fights by bribing judges. Feldman was the judge in two notable championship fights, Amanda Serrano against Katie Taylor and Oleksandr Uzyk vs. Anthony Joshua. Both of these were allegedly fixed by Hearn.
Hearn’s team seeks damages in excess of $100M, according to Hearn’s attorney Frank Salzano, while Feldman seeks separate damages of an unknown amount.
“[Paul’s] statements have harmed Feldman’s reputation in the public, impute the commission of a crime, and/or call into question Feldman’s fitness to perform his work in his trade and profession,” Salzano wrote in a complaint, per ESPN.
Paul specifically named Feldman in his criticism of Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, claiming that Feldman’s wide score (97-93 Taylor) in Taylor’s split decision win over Serrano — who is represented by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions — and dissenting score (115-113 Joshua, with the other judges having it 116-112 and 115-113 for Usyk) in Joshua’s split decision loss to Usyk were evidence that Hearn was influencing Feldman’s scores.
” I still believe Amanda Serrano was the winner of the fight [over Katie Taylor],” Paul stated to IFL TV in September. Then, you can see Glenn Feldman as the judge who was closest to Taylor than Serrano. Everyone pretty much had it a draw… a draw or that Amanda won. Glenn Feldman was the judge. He scored Taylor a huge gap and gave rounds to Taylor that Amanda won.
“Then Glenn Feldman (a judge) arrives in Saudi Arabia and scores Anthony Joshua for [over Oleksandr Usyk].. Everybody who saw the fight [knows] knows that it is not a split verdict. Usyk had a runaway victory, clearly won the fight. This judge, Glenn Feldman, gives it to Anthony Joshua? It’s like a repeated crime here. It’s a s ***, that I will call out in boxing, because it’s bulls ***.. This guy clearly is being paid by Matchroom Boxing .”
Feldman has worked as a boxing judge since 1992 and has overseen several high-profile bouts, including Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao in May 2015. Salzano emphasized in the complaint that “punitive and exemplary damages are necessary” due to the negative impact that Paul’s comments could have on his client’s reputation.
Paul’s legal team will likely prep for that legal battle as he gears up for his next pro boxing bout, a meeting with MMA legend Anderson Silva this Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz.
