Ben Shalom has accused Zuffa Boxing of “scandalous” conduct after Boxxer filed legal action over the alleged poaching of contracted fighters.
The lawsuit centers on Chris Billam-Smith and Sam Hickey, who both appeared on Zuffa Boxing’s UK debut in Bournemouth on June 6. Boxxer claims the fighters were still under contract when Zuffa signed and used them on the show.
“We have to protect our business,” Shalom said. “We need to stop them from being able to take our fighters and staff.”
Shalom said the situation goes beyond normal promotional competition and suggested the behavior could damage the wider business if left unchecked. “We can all laugh and joke about it but it’s just not how it’s done,” he said. “For that sort of behavior to be going on from a blue-chip broadcaster is pretty scandalous.”
Dana White has already dismissed the lawsuit publicly, but Shalom questioned how much detail White actually knows. “Dana doesn’t even know the names of the fighters that we’re talking about,” Shalom said. “I’m going to let it come out, because it’ll come out in the next three weeks.”
Adam Azim was also pictured with White at the Bournemouth event, but Shalom said he had no issue with that, noting Azim was there to support gym-mates and has signed a new contract. His main concern, he said, is “ignoring contracts” as Zuffa pushes deeper into the UK boxing market.
Image Credit: Sky Sports