Sam Hickey on Zuffa Boxing’s Bournemouth debut despite Boxxer challenge
sam hickey is set to feature on Zuffa Boxing’s first UK show on Saturday, even as Boxxer seeks urgent injunctive relief over fighters on the bill. The event is still planned for the Bournemouth International Centre, with Chris Billam-Smith headlining against Ryan Rozicki.
Billam-Smith leads Bournemouth
Billam-Smith, the former WBO cruiserweight champion, signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing in April after previously being promoted by Boxxer. His bout with Canadian Ryan Rozicki is the main attraction at the Bournemouth International Centre, and the show is due to be broadcast on Sky Sports.
Sam Hickey and Jack Massey are also listed on the undercard. That puts two more British fighters into the same event that has become the focus of a dispute over who has the right to use them on Saturday’s card.
Boxxer’s contract dispute
Boxxer says it has contractual rights involving fighters on the bill and says they are appearing without consent or authorisation. In its statement, Boxxer said: “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” and added, “Boxxer have ensured 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.”
It also said: “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.” Zuffa Boxing, founded by UFC president Dana White and backed by Saudi Arabian funding, does not accept Boxxer’s claims and plans to proceed as scheduled.
Sky Sports and Saturday
The immediate consequence for fans is simple: the show is still lined up for Saturday, with Billam-Smith-Rozicki at the top of the card and Hickey among the undercard names attached to Zuffa’s UK debut. The legal fight now sits beside the boxing card, with Sky Sports also named in Boxxer’s push for injunctive relief.
