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A $1 billion battle over the future of boxing is brewing, with the newly formed Zuffa at the center of it.

British promoter Frank Warren is preparing to pursue legal action amid a dispute over his alleged exclusion from Zuffa Boxing, which is a partnership formed this past year between Saudi Arabia's SELA and TKO Group — the parent company of the UFC and WWE.

Saudi fight financier Turki Alalshikh, UFC CEO Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan are at the forefront of Zuffa Boxing's efforts. The promotional company has secured a reported $500 million, five-year media rights deal with Paramount and has used that to sign Conor Benn and Jai Opetaia, with a host of boxing's top stars expected to follow. Uncrowned understands that an agreement between Zuffa and UK broadcast giant Sky Sports is imminent.

According to The Telegraph, Warren's Queensberry is claiming that SELA and TKO breached separate contracts they had signed with him and formed Zuffa Boxing without his involvement. TKO aims to take over the sport of boxing with Zuffa and gain a virtual monopoly, similar to its market share in MMA and professional wrestling. 

Queensberry says in September 2023 it signed an exclusive agreement with SELA to provide boxing services, which saw the company give SELA access to Queensberry's expertise as the pair looked to stage big-time fights. They worked together for the first time for the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou bout in October 2023.

Queensberry also claims it signed a contract with TKO, where TKO was allowed access to Queensberry's contract with SELA via its online data. 

It is being argued that TKO and SELA, with the benefit of privileged information, went behind Queensberry's back to ink a five-year deal with each other, and in the process breached their individual agreements with the British promoter.

Queensberry is reportedly seeking $1 billion for lost income that it argues the company would've made had its contracts been honored. Warren plans to take his case to the High Court if no resolution is reached. Queensberry has reportedly sent letters before action to SELA and TKO, detailing its intention to sue for breach of contract.

Queensberry was the key player in Saudi Arabian boxing from September 2023 until this past summer. Rumors swirled in the boxing industry that a fallout between Queensberry and Alalshikh had displaced them from their position, with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom jumping up the ladder — although its future in Saudi Arabian boxing could also be doomed, with Alalshikh helping to take one of Matchroom's biggest stars, Benn, over to Zuffa in recent days.