A virtual settlement conference is scheduled for December 17 to potentially resolve the defamation lawsuit filed by Matchroom Boxing against Jake Paul, who alleged that Matchroom bribed a judge to influence boxing match outcomes, following the denial of Paul’s motion to dismiss the case.
A settlement conference is on the calendar for Dec. 17, involving Matchroom Boxing and Jake Paul. It’ll unfold virtually before U.S. magistrate judge Henry Ricardo.
The proceedings won’t be public, but all parties, including Paul and Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, must attend. This conference might resolve the lawsuit, though its outcome remains uncertain until after it wraps up.
Settlement conferences aim to forge agreements and avoid trial. Both sides are expected to swap initial settlement demands beforehand.
This meeting follows Judge Paul Gardephe’s September decision. He denied Paul’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, prompting a pre-trial conference soon after.
Matchroom’s lawsuit claims Paul made defamatory remarks, alleging they bribed boxing judge Glenn Feldman. These accusations center around two high-profile fights.
Specifically, those matches were Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano and Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua. In an interview, Paul accused Feldman of being paid by Matchroom to sway fight outcomes.
Paul didn’t mince words, claiming it’s “blatantly obvious.” Despite these serious allegations, he insists he’s not making them lightly.
In response, Matchroom filed a defamation suit against Paul, with Feldman joining as a co-plaintiff in October 2022. Yet, despite legal tensions, Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions collaborated with Matchroom for Taylor vs. Serrano 2 in November.
Taylor secured another narrow victory that night. Meanwhile, Paul faced off against Mike Tyson in the event’s headliner.