BOXXER has readied its legal troops in response to a series of articles – deemed both ‘inaccurate’ and ‘misleading’ – that have been published by The Times and Sunday Times.
News emerged earlier this month that the promotional outfit, headed by Ben Shalom, has been left searching for a new broadcaster after its four-year partnership with Sky was not renewed.
Boxxer’s lucrative deal with the British broadcast juggernaut was ignited in 2021, shortly after Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing left to join DAZN.
But now, it would appear that The Times and Sunday Times, one of the UK’s largest national newspapers, may have inspired Sky to distance itself from Shalom.
More specifically, an article titled ‘Boxing promoter linked to cricket fixer dropped by Sky,’ which was published two weeks ago, has led to the pursuit of legal action from Boxxer.
The headline refers to Mazhar Majeed, who is perhaps best known for his involvement in a cricket spot-fixing scandal that took place in 2010.
Despite his criminal past, Majeed, who served a 32-month sentence, has since worked with a selection of fighters – including Amir Khan, Chris Eubank Jr and Joshua Buatsi – as an advisor.
It is widely reported, too, that the controversial figure played a key role in getting Amir Khan vs Kell Brook, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office back in 2022, over the line.
As a result, several articles published by The Times and Sunday Times have accused Boxxer of operating alongside Majeed in some capacity.
But in terms of the finer details regarding that situation, Boxxer has, in response, claimed that the national title’s coverage is largely ‘inaccurate’ and ‘misleading.’
What is more, the promotional outfit insists that such articles have had a negative impact on its ‘commercial interests,’ suggesting that its search for a new broadcast partner, meanwhile, remains far from straightforward.
In any case, Boxxer has confirmed its intent to initiate legal proceedings against The Times and Sunday Times.
“Boxxer has instructed lawyers to begin action against The Times and The Sunday Times for what it says is a series of inaccurate and misleading articles published over the past 18 months,” it says in an official statement obtained by Boxing News.
“The most recent article, published on [June 7], contains significant factual errors which Boxxer believes have misrepresented the company’s business relationships and are causing ongoing damage to Boxxer’s commercial interests.
“Boxxer is committed to transparency and integrity in all its operations and will be pursuing appropriate remedies through the relevant legal and regulatory channels.”
