Yahoo! Sports reports that BOXXER is suing TKO’s Zuffa Boxing over the alleged stealing two of its fighters. Both fighter are scheduled to debut on Saturday in England as Zuffa Boxing makes its debut outside of the Apex and the U.S.
BOXXER, owned by Ben Shalom, is a UK promotion that claims that Chris Billlam-Smith and Sam Hickey were illegally signed by White’s Zuffa Boxing. The company is seeking injunctive relief against Zuffa Boxing and broadcaster Sky Sports. Notably, Boxxer has a four-year broadcast deal with Sky Sports.
Billiam-Smith claimed his deal ended at the end of 2025 but BOXXER alleges that he was still within an exclusive negotiating window. It also stated that it had a “right to match” any offer within its contract.
Hickey, according to BOXXER, was in a long-term contract with the promotion when he signed with Zuffa Boxing.
Promoter Shaa Wasmund is a co-defendant to the lawsuit and claims to have helped secure the deal with Sky for Zuffa Boxing.
While we are not experts in the UK legal systems, one might infer that this will not be the only lawsuit occurring between promotions and Zuffa Boxing as the company makes inroads into the industry. We will see if this is something in which Zuffa was going to attempt to buy out the rest of the contract or a legitimate issue. MPO will continue to follow.
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