Zuffa Boxing is pushing ahead with its debut UK show in Bournemouth this Saturday despite an escalating legal fight from rival promoter Boxxer. Former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith headlines against Canadian Ryan Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Centre, while British contenders Jack Massey and Sam Hickey round out a domestic undercard on the televised broadcast.

Boxxer claims it holds binding contracts with fighters on the bill and says they are appearing without its consent. The Manchester-based outfit has filed for urgent injunctive relief against both Zuffa Boxing and Sky Sports in the English courts, insisting it warned all parties about the contractual obligations beforehand. Zuffa does not accept the allegations and plans to run the event as scheduled.

Billam-Smith signed with Zuffa in April after Ben Shalom's Boxxer promoted him previously. Zuffa, founded by UFC president Dana White and backed by Saudi investment, is attempting to disrupt boxing's established promotional order in its first UK outing. Saturday's planned broadcast on Sky Sports now carries a legal cloud, though the show remains set for the Bournemouth International Centre this weekend.