Backyard boxing bout between Queensland influencers ends in prize-money dispute

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Backyard boxing bout between Queensland influencers ends in prize-money dispute

Daily Mail · 58 minutes ago

Two social media influencers from Queensland settled an online feud through an unregulated backyard boxing match organised by Tee Utia's "The Fight Yard" on 5 September. Brisbane content creator Sapphire Killeen defeated Gold Coast mother Madi Hale over three rounds to be crowned "Queen of the Yard", but was stripped of her title within days and refused payment of $2,353 in prize money she had intended to donate to charity in memory of her late father.

The event was held in a residential garden with an unruly crowd contained behind worksite safety barriers rather than a proper boxing ring, with attendees charged $50 per ticket. Killeen alleged the organisers had initially agreed to permit live-streaming but then refused payment when she proceeded, citing a supposed breach of contract. Hale, who has 120,000 Instagram followers compared to Killeen's 20,000, similarly reported initially not receiving promised payment and accused Utia of fabricating bank transfer documentation. Killeen subsequently alleged the organisers showed bias towards Hale due to her larger social media following.

  • Winner stripped of title and unpaid in dispute over live-streaming breach
  • Event lacked regulation, proper venue, and transparent payment processes
  • Social media following appeared to influence organiser's treatment of fighters

Americas World

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