Boxxer sues Zuffa Boxing over Billam-Smith, Hickey contracts

Boxxer filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to stop former cruiserweight titleholder Chris Billam-Smith and prospect Sam Hickey from appearing on Zuffa Boxing 7 in Bournemouth, claiming both fighters remain under binding contracts with the Ben Shalom-led promotion.

The Ring reported that Boxxer is pursuing urgent injunctive relief through English courts against Zuffa Boxing and broadcaster Sky Sports on the eve of Saturday's card. Billam-Smith is scheduled to headline against Ryan Rozicki, while Hickey faces Todd Tompkins in a six-rounder.

Boxxer alleges matching rights violations on Billam-Smith deal

In a statement obtained by the Daily Mail, Boxxer said it believes all parties involved are fully aware of the contractual obligations owed to the promotion. The suit alleges Zuffa ignored matching rights on any offer to Billam-Smith within a specified period, even though the fighter claims his deal expired at the end of 2025. Zuffa announced the signing of Billam-Smith on April 13 and Hickey on May 24.

Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom previewed the legal action in a recent Seconds Out interview. "You can't just go in and ignore that fighters are under contract and being paid by another promoter," Shalom said, per The Ring. "They ignored that we had a matching right on Chris Billam-Smith, completely, not just a matching right but an exclusive negotiation period."

Boxxer now stages cards on BBC after its four-year Sky Sports broadcast deal expired last year. Sky has since partnered with Zuffa Boxing and Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions. Neither Zuffa nor Sky Sports commented on the filing. The hearing outcome could determine whether Billam-Smith and Hickey step into the ring Saturday night.

Source: ringmagazine.com