Frank Warren Threatens $1 Billion Lawsuit Against Saudi-Backed Sela and TKO Over Zuffa Boxing Launch

London, England, UK - In a major development shaking up the boxing world, veteran British promoter Frank Warren and his promotion company Queensberry Promotions are preparing a potential $1 billion (£740 million) legal battle against Saudi Arabia's state-owned entertainment firm Sela and U.S. combat sports powerhouse TKO Group Holdings (parent company of UFC and WWE).

The dispute centers on the formation of Zuffa Boxing, a new venture launched in 2025 that aims to significantly reshape professional boxing.

The Alleged Breach: How Queensberry Claims It Was Sidelined

According to reports from The Telegraph, echoed across outlets including The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, BoxingScene, and talkSPORT, Queensberry alleges that Sela and TKO breached exclusive contracts previously signed with Warren’s company.

In September 2023, Queensberry entered into an exclusivity agreement with Sela to provide promotional expertise, fighter access, and operational support as Saudi Arabia expanded its involvement in boxing through events such as Riyadh Season.

Around the same time, Queensberry signed a separate agreement with TKO, granting access to certain data and details relating to the Sela partnership.

Queensberry now claims that, armed with this “privileged information,” Sela and TKO negotiated a direct five-year partnership behind its back. That partnership ultimately led to the creation of Zuffa Boxing in June 2025.

The new entity—fronted by Dana White, WWE President Nick Khan, and Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh—has already signed fighters including Conor Benn and Jai Opetaia. Reports also suggest a $500 million media rights deal with Paramount+ covering 12 annual events.

Zuffa Boxing has positioned itself as a disruptive force in the sport, promising structural reform and a more centralized league-style approach.

By excluding Queensberry from this venture, Warren’s promotion argues it has been deprived of substantial future earnings tied to Saudi-backed events, media partnerships, and fighter promotions—hence the reported $1 billion claim for projected lost income.

Queensberry has sent formal “letters before action” (a standard pre-litigation step under UK law) to both Sela and TKO, warning that High Court proceedings will follow if the matter is not resolved.

Responses from the Parties

Sela has rejected the claims. A spokesperson told The Telegraph:

“We are disappointed by the unfounded claims brought by Queensberry and Frank Warren. We reject them in their entirety and are confident that the facts will fully vindicate our position.”

TKO has not issued a public comment as of February 25, 2026.

Frank Warren has also declined to comment directly on the legal reports, though he has addressed broader developments in boxing and recent fighter signings in interviews.

At present, no formal court filing has been publicly confirmed. The matter remains in the pre-action stage.

Why This Could Reshape Boxing

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, operating through Sela and the General Entertainment Authority, has invested heavily in combat sports as part of its Vision 2030 initiative. High-profile fights such as Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk have helped position the Kingdom as a central player in the heavyweight division.

Zuffa Boxing represents the next evolution of that strategy—combining UFC-style structure with Saudi financial backing to challenge boxing’s traditionally fragmented promotional system.

If Queensberry’s case proceeds and succeeds, potential consequences could include:

• Renegotiations or financial settlements
• Delays to Zuffa-related events or media agreements
• Increased scrutiny of exclusivity clauses in Saudi-backed ventures
• A strengthened position for established promoters

Conversely, if the claim is dismissed or settled on favorable terms for Sela and TKO, Zuffa’s momentum would likely accelerate, further centralizing power within the new structure.

At 73, Frank Warren—long known for promoting major heavyweight names—shows no indication of retreat. Whether this dispute ends in court or settlement, it represents a defining moment in the current power struggle shaping the future of professional boxing.