Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing sued by Ben Shalom’s BOXXER on eve of debut UK show

Ben Shalom’s BOXXER is taking legal action against Zuffa Boxing, the upstart promotion fronted by Dana White.

The lawsuit comes on the eve of Zuffa’s first show in the UK, which features two fighters BOXXER alleges were unlawfully poached from its roster.

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Chris Billam-Smith, who headlines the bill in Bournemouth on Saturday night against Ryan Rozicki, and Sam Hickey, who opens up the main card with Todd Tompkins, are said to be at the centre of the dispute.

BOXXER is seeking ‘urgent injunctive relief’ against Zuffa and Sky Sports, which is broadcasting the event.

Sky inked a long-term deal with Zuffa in March after its four-year deal with BOXXER expired at the end of 2025.

A statement provided by BOXXER to the Daily Mail read: “BOXXER can confirm it is seeking urgent injunctive relief against Zuffa Boxing and Sky Sports concerning the promotion and proposed participation of fighters who remain subject to binding contractual obligations to BOXXER.

“BOXXER believes that all parties involved are fully aware of the contractual obligations owed to BOXXER by the fighters being promoted for Saturday’s event.

“Despite this, those fighters continue to be advertised and promoted without BOXXER’s consent.

“As a result of the conduct it has witnessed in recent months, BOXXER has been left with no option but to seek further relief from the English courts.

“Its application seeks orders to prevent further interference with BOXXER’s contractual rights and business relationships and to prevent the use of fighters who remain under binding agreements with BOXXER until those contractual issues are resolved.”

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Billam-Smith claims his contract with BOXXER, which he signed in 2023, expired at the end of 2025.

However, BOXXER argues that Billam-Smith’s agreement with Zuffa came within a period when they had matching rights on any offer.

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BOXXER also alleges Hickey was still under contract when the Commonwealth gold medallist made the switch to Zuffa in May.

Zuffa Boxing and Sky Sports have declined to comment.

Shalom had previously suggested he would take litigation against Zuffa during an interview with Seconds Out last week.

“I think they see me and they think ‘Oh, he’s a nice guy, he’s not going to do anything,'” said Shalom.

“You can’t just go in and ignore that fighters are under contract and being paid by another promoter.

“Look, I know where in the world of Trump and in the world of this and the world of that, but there’s still some sort of business practice.

“They ignored that we had a matching right on Chris Billam-Smith completely.

“Not just a matching right but an exclusive negotiation period. They’re ignoring that other fighters on that fight are actually completely under contract. What are you supposed to do? It’s crazy, to be honest.

“Thankfully, we live in a country where you can’t do those types of things.”