Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn are surprisingly putting their differences aside, as the boxing promoters team up for a “long-term collaboration” designed to help grow women’s boxing.
American Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, launched Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) alongside Nakisa Bidarian in 2021, with the company often focusing on women’s boxing. Meanwhile, Hearn’s Matchroom has long been a stable of British boxing, founded by the Essex promoter’s father Barry.
Paul and Bidarian have found themselves at odds with Hearn over the years, especially during a trilogy of fights between MVP’s Amanda Serrano and Matchroom’s Katie Taylor, with all three bouts going the latter’s way. In December, Hearn’s highest-profile fighter Anthony Joshua even boxed and stopped Paul in Miami.
Now, however, the trio of promoters will team up.
“MVP and Matchroom Boxing today announced a landmark strategic alliance that brings together two of boxing’s most influential promotional organisations,” read a press release on Tuesday, “in a long-term collaboration focused on accelerating the continued global growth of women’s boxing.
“The strategic alliance brings together MVP’s industry-leading platform for women’s boxing and Matchroom Boxing’s global promotional expertise and world-class roster, to create significant new opportunities for female fighters both inside and outside the ring.
“The alliance reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the long-term ecosystem of women’s boxing. Rather than competing in isolation, MVP and Matchroom Boxing will work together to identify career-defining opportunities for elite female athletes, support the continued growth of world championship competition, and help expand the global audience for women’s boxing through premium events, innovative storytelling, and increased commercial investment in the sport.”
Hearn, 47, said: “This is a partnership not many would have seen coming, but it is one that makes perfect sense. For a long time, Matchroom has singlehandedly carried the flag for women’s boxing. In recent years, MVP have done an incredible job, too.
“They now have an unprecedented stable of champions and continue to break the boundaries for women’s boxing time and time again. For our female fighters to chase legacy and to fight the best, this new alliance is integral, and we are fully committed to working together with MVPW [MVP’s women’s boxing branch] to continue to grow women’s boxing.”
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In a joint-stamenent, Paul, 29, and Bidarian, 48, added: “Since launching MVPW, our goal has been to build the biggest platform in the world for women’s boxing and create transformative opportunities for female fighters at every stage of their careers. Partnering with Matchroom Boxing is another major step toward that vision.
“Historically, Matchroom played an instrumental role in elevating women’s boxing globally, and together we have an opportunity to create even bigger moments for the sport and the athletes driving it forward.
“This is about investing in the future of the sport and creating the premier destination for the world’s best female fighters.”
