Zuffa Boxing plans to go ahead with its first British show on Saturday, even as Boxxer moves to stop fighters from appearing on the card before the courts. The event at the Bournemouth International Centre is headlined by Chris Billam-Smith against Canadian Ryan Rozicki, with Jack Massey and Sam Hickey listed on the undercard.
The date matters because the legal fight is happening on the eve of the show. Boxxer says it has contractual rights over fighters on the bill and is seeking urgent injunctive relief against Zuffa Boxing and Sky Sports, arguing the boxers are being promoted without its consent or authorisation. Sport understands Zuffa does not accept that claim and intends to proceed with the event as planned.
Sam Hickey’s name has become part of a broader dispute that stretches beyond one undercard slot. Zuffa Boxing was founded by UFC president Dana White and is backed by Saudi Arabian funding, while Boxxer says the fighters promoted for Saturday remain subject to binding contractual obligations to it. Chris Billam-Smith signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa in April after previously being promoted by Boxxer, a move that sits at the centre of the latest clash.
Boxxer said it had told all parties involved about the contracts it says still apply, but the fighters continue to be advertised for Saturday’s show. It added that it has been left with no option but to seek further relief from the English courts after what it described as conduct it has witnessed in recent months. The immediate question now is whether the court acts before the bell rings on Saturday, or whether Zuffa’s first UK card goes ahead with Sam Hickey and the rest of the bill intact.
