A female boxer who defeated her “mumfluencer” rival in a bruising backyard bout has hit back after allegedly being stripped of her title and left without payment for the fight.

Brisbane content creator Sapphire Killeen, 29, faced Gold Coast mother Madi Hale in the garden of a property near Logan, in south-east Queensland, on September 5.

The contest, staged in temperatures of about 30C, was arranged by Tee Utia, founder of the unregulated boxing group The Fight Yard.

Instead of taking place inside a conventional boxing ring, the bout unfolded before a rowdy crowd separated from the fighters by worksite safety bunting and security guards.

Tickets sold for $50, while Killeen said competitors were promised a share of the tickets they sold to their own followers rather than a fixed fight purse.

The “Queen of the Yard” showdown was organised after the two women exchanged insults online over several months, including Killeen’s accusation that Hale had cheated on a partner.

Killeen had earlier challenged Gold Coast influencer Jess Te Huia to a fight after the Daily Mail reported on the now-infamous “Stepmum in the Bed” saga.

People associated with Hale alleged that Killeen had created a page exposing Hale’s personal affairs. Killeen denied the claim.

Hale, a mother of three, reportedly challenged Killeen to resolve their dispute in the ring. Killeen subsequently worked with Utia to put the fight together.

New Zealand-born Killeen was declared the winner after three punishing rounds, but the event quickly descended into disorder once the result was announced.

Organisers alleged that Killeen’s team had livestreamed part of the bout in breach of her contract. They then refused to pay the $2,353 Killeen said she was owed from ticket sales.

Killeen said she had intended to donate the money to Lifeline in memory of her father, who died by suicide two years ago.

Marketing firm The Brand Link Agency later donated the same amount to Lifeline on Killeen’s behalf.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Killeen said organisers had initially agreed to let competitors livestream the event. However, she said a contract presented on the day prohibited livestreaming.

“We stopped it there. And then we have gone in [to the venue] and saw that everyone else was recording, so we’re just going to do it too because that wasn’t fair,” she said.

The Fight Yard announced on social media last week that, “following a review of everything that occurred before, during, and after” the event, Killeen had officially been stripped of the Queen of the Yard title.

‘The decision follows multiple issues that TFY considers to be breaches of the rules and conditions outlined in her signed fighter agreement, as well as the ongoing conduct surrounding the event.’

‘Madi Hale is officially the new Queen of the Yard’. 

Killeen said being stripped of her win ‘felt like a personal attack’ because she had called the organisers out on social media for not sending her payment. 

Hale said in the days before the fight, organisers claimed they had already sent her money, but after calling her bank, found it had never been sent.

She accused Utia of ‘faking’ a bank transfer receipt. 

Killeen said that in the days before the fight, she began to feel the organisers were ‘siding’ with Hale – and speculated it may have been due to Hale’s higher social media reach.

Hale has 120,000 followers on Instagram, compared to Killeen’s 20,000. 

‘The energy was just off… there were so many things where I was just like, “These guys are not on my team at all”.

‘Maybe because there’s some sort of following on the other side, it benefitted them.’ 

Killeen alleged Utia’s wife Genesis approached her minutes before she was due to step into the ‘ring’, and warned her to ensure the fight lasted three rounds, but to avoid injuring Hale because she was a mother.

‘She said, “Madi’s got her three girls to go home to, and at that point I was just like, “Are you serious?” 

‘Once she mentioned her daughters, I was taken aback. I was like, we both agreed to this. We knew what we were doing. But at the end of the day, I am a human.’

On social media, Killeen has separately said Genesis also asked her to avoid ‘bruising’ Madi’s face.

Once in the ring, feeling deeply suspicious of the whole set-up, Killeen said she began to feel ‘unsafe’.

‘I didn’t know what could happen next,’ she said.

Still, Killeen rained blow after blow on her opponent, and on the day had her arm raised in victory by a masked referee. 

Soon after the bout, Hale supporters claimed the women’s weights were ill-matched – something that is carefully regulated by sanctioned boxing organisations. 

Unperturbed by the drama, Killeen said she was initially ‘over the moon’ about her win.

‘I did it for the cause [Lifeline], I made my family proud, all those types of feelings,’ she said.

‘Straight from the beginning, [the organisers] knew that’s what it was for… not just for my dad, but lots of loved ones I’ve lost from suicide. It’s massive to me.’ 

But even while basking in the victory, she still felt something wasn’t right.

‘The bias thing, it comes into play constantly, because it just felt like that the whole time. So I knew I had won, but I still didn’t feel like I’d won, if that makes sense.’ 

After the fight, Killeen claimed her fears of bias were confirmed when she saw on social media that TFY organisers attended Hale’s after-party.

Killeen later attended a local nightclub to find Hale’s camp there – and TFY organisers in a booth alongside them.

In a statement to the Daily Mail on Wednesday, Utia ‘disputed the suggestion that there was bias towards Madi Hale’.

‘Neither TFY nor Genesis instructed Sapphire not to hit Madi in the face, and no instruction was given to manipulate the length or outcome of the fight,’ Utia said.

‘TFY also did not attend an afterparty following the event. We attempted to promote and tag both participants, and any inability to tag Sapphire at certain points was related to her account settings rather than an intentional decision not to promote her.’

Utia insisted the bank transfer was not ‘fabricated’.

‘TFY attempted to transfer the funds to Sapphire from its ANZ business account. The transaction did not ultimately settle and the funds were returned to TFY’s account. We have retained banking records relating to the attempted payment and return of funds,’ he said.

‘Following the unsuccessful transfer, a separate dispute arose regarding the signed participant agreement. Before the event, TFY communicated that unauthorised livestreaming and recording of the fights was prohibited because TFY was operating its own paid livestream.   

‘TFY later became aware of footage being livestreamed or distributed from Sapphire’s side. TFY’s position is that this was inconsistent with the media and livestreaming obligations contained in the agreement, and the payment was therefore not reissued while that dispute remained unresolved. 

‘Regarding the “Queen of the Yard” title, this is a TFY promotional title rather than an official boxing championship sanctioned by a governing body. TFY removed Sapphire from the title following the breakdown in the relationship between the parties and TFY’s position that participation obligations and standards had not been followed.

‘This was an internal TFY branding decision and separate from the sporting result of the bout itself. 

‘We recognise that Sapphire may dispute TFY’s position.’

Killeen said she now ‘110 per cent regrets’ getting involved in the boxing match in the first place.

‘I feel really depleted from it all. I don’t even really care that they stripped me of my crown, but my main concern is just letting other people know what they’ve done to me. I wouldn’t get involved with them,’ she warned. 

‘It was so unprofessional. I don’t know what TFY’s goal is – they say it’s to get kids off the streets and everything like that, but it doesn’t seem that way.’ 

While unregulated boxing matches are not technically illegal in Queensland, police told the Daily Mail they were ‘concerned’ about the rise of backyard bouts.

In June, around 40 cops raided an event organised by TFY at the Springwood Reservoir in Logan, charging two men with public nuisance and one with drug possession. 

Other videos show amateur boxers fighting in public spaces, warehouses and pedestrian tunnels – including one where men traded blows while standing on a concrete surface. 

A police spokesperson has also cautioned Queenslanders against participating in or attending unregulated fight sports. 

‘Police have concerns regarding unregulated fighting events occurring in public places, particularly where there may be risks to participant and public safety,’ said a QPS spokesperson.

‘Police will assess any reports of unlawful behaviour on a case-by-case basis.

‘If officers become aware of events that present a risk to public safety or involve criminal offending, police may attend, gather intelligence, disrupt the activity where appropriate, and take enforcement action.

‘Depending on the circumstances, offences such as affray or other public order offences may be committed if the conduct causes fear, alarm or disturbance to members of the public.

‘Police also encourage organisers and participants to consider their legal obligations and responsibilities, including public safety requirements. There may also be compliance considerations for other agencies, including local government authorities.

‘Anyone who witnesses unlawful behaviour or has concerns about public safety is encouraged to report the matter to police.’

In response, Utia said: ‘TFY also recognises concerns raised regarding safety at grassroots combat events. For this event, TFY arranged security, controlled entry and implemented measures for participant and crowd safety. 

‘We are reviewing our operations for future events, including insurance, medical arrangements, participant documentation, venue requirements and applicable regulatory obligations.’

Hale did not respond to a Daily Mail request for comment by the deadline provided.

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Residents of an apartment building in Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs have remembered a 90-year-old woman, who was allegedly killed by her grandson, as a “nice, quiet” neighbour.

Valentina Spivak was allegedly attacked inside her unit on Chambers Avenue, Bondi Beach, at about 5.15pm on Saturday.

Those living nearby said they were stunned by the death and recalled Ms Spivak as a gentle, private woman.

Caroline Engesser said the grandmother would often play traditional Russian opera, with the music drifting from her modest apartment through the building.

“She seemed pretty nice,” Ms Engesser said.

Neighbour George Clifton said he had never heard anything negative about Ms Spivak.

“Nothing bad to say about her, to be honest,” he said. “She was a nice woman.”

Police found Ms Spivak inside her home suffering from multiple stab wounds to her torso and throat. Officers attempted CPR, but she could not be revived.

Her grandson, Sergei Mitnik, was taken into custody at the scene.

The 47-year-old has since been charged with murder in a domestic violence-related matter.

During a bail hearing on Sunday, Mitnik’s lawyer told the court that his client had mental health issues and was taking Ozempic.

Solicitor Javid Faiz said his client claimed the medication had affected him.

Court documents viewed by the Daily Telegraph indicate that Mitnik had been estranged from his grandmother before the alleged attack.

He allegedly went to her apartment on Saturday and remained there for about an hour before strangling and stabbing her 19 times, according to the documents.

Mitnik then allegedly called Triple Zero and requested help to “have a body removed from the location”.

He allegedly told the emergency operator that his grandmother was “being not compliant” and that he unfortunately had to call an ambulance.

Court documents state Mitnik hung up and turned off his phone before police arrived and that a knife was found at the scene. 

The documents further state Mitnik had recently spoken to his grandmother by telephone about a Jewish holiday which she usually marked by giving relatives money.

He told the court Mitnik had an appointment scheduled with a psychologist a month ago, which had been cancelled. 

Mr Faiz flagged asking in future for his client to be transferred to a mental health facility but in the meantime asked that he be assessed by two psychiatrists.

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The police prosecutor said a statement of facts referred to Mitnik making ‘some admissions’ but it did not include any detail about his mental condition.

Mitnik did not apply for bail and it was formally refused, with the judge recommending he receive any necessary treatment and be provided with medication. 

Eastern Suburbs Police Area Commander, Detective Superintendent Jodi Radmore said Mitnik did not reside at Bondi and had been cooperative with police.

‘It is awful and it’s awful for the community and it’s awful to the victim’s family,’ she said.

‘One alleged murder is too many… we just have to work together to do better.’

Ms Spivak was one of three women who died just hours apart in separate incidents across NSW.

Just hours after the death, the body of another woman in her 70s was found at Mole River in the state’s north.

Police were called to reports of a domestic violence incident in the regional district about 9.35pm.

Investigators believe a 37-year-old man entered a property and tried to steal a vehicle before assaulting the 74-year-old resident.

The younger man was arrested and police then went on to search the neighbouring property where they found the body of a woman in her 70s, who is yet to be formally identified.

Part of the house was damaged by fire, police said.

A crime scene has been established at both locations and an investigation launched with help from the homicide squad.

Earlier on Saturday, a 23-year-old woman was found with critical stab wounds inside a home in Wagga Wagga, in southwestern NSW.

Emergency services were called to the home about 11.45am but the woman died at the scene. Police were told a man left the location prior to officers’ arrival.

An 18-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Wagga Wagga police station, but he was later released without charge.

About 8.30pm, a 31-year-old man was arrested at a home and taken to Wagga Wagga police station, where he remains.

All three people are believed to have known each other.

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Magda Szubanski has revealed the devastating reality of living with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

In her first interview since announcing her Mantle Cell Lymphoma diagnosis last year, the Australian actress became emotional as she discussed what she described as an “incurable relapse” of the disease.

“So, it’s almost sure that it will come back. It’s a question of ‘when’ and then ‘how bad’,” the 65-year-old told 60 Minutes host Tracy Grimshaw on Sunday.

Szubanski said she was “pitching for more” time, but acknowledged that she could have as little as eight years before the illness proves fatal.

“The median survival rate is eight-and-a-half years. So, I could go less, or I could go more,” she said.

The comedian likened the uncertainty to living with the “sword of Damocles over her head”, saying she is acutely aware that her time may eventually run out.

“For those of us who, you know, it hangs by only a couple of strands, it’s a very different feeling,” she said.

“It is just a different state of consciousness. It’s a different awareness of death. It’s not abstract.”

The Babe star compared the physical and emotional toll of chemotherapy to being caught in a “multi-car pile-up”.

“I’m not being a Pollyanna about this because I think that’s not fair to people to do that,” she said.

“It was freaking hard, but when I say it was doable, it was. My results put me in good stead, but it can change.”

Szubanski said doctors discovered the cancer after she endured a prolonged period of feeling unwell, accompanied by frightening nightmares.

“I knew something was wrong. I just felt so unwell,” she said.

“It would wake me up in the middle of the night, literally wake up with a dream voice saying ‘you’re dying, you’re dying’.”

“So, it was like, dude, there’s something wrong here. You know, there’s something really wrong.”

Magda announced in February that her cancer had entered remission.

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“I’ve completed chemo and I am now in remission. Phew!” she said at the time.

“It’s not a cure, but if I’ve got a good remission, hopefully that will mean I’ll be able to keep the cancer at bay for a good long time.”

‘And I also wanted to say a special, huge thank you to you for all the love and support that you’ve shown.’

Telling fans that she felt loved and supported during her health crisis, Magda said that it helped physically as well as emotionally.

‘So eternal gratitude, thank you so much for that,’ she added.

Elsewhere in the clip, Magda praised her own health team and Australia’s medical community, calling it ‘one of the best in the world.’

‘There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t give profound thanks to the medical community… and also to the common sense of the Australian people that we see how practical and compassionate it is to have a really good medical system,’ she said.

In May last year, Magda announced on social media that she was battling a rare form of cancer known as Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

She appeared on camera with a shaved head after beginning her treatment to fight the disease.

‘Hello my lovelies. So, the head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks because I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma,’ she began. 

‘It is one of the nasty ones, unfortunately. The good thing is I’m surrounded by beautiful friends, family and an incredible medical support team.

‘Honestly, we have the best in the world here in Australia, particularly in Melbourne. I feel very fortunate.

‘It’s pretty confronting. It is full-on. But new treatments keep coming down the pipeline all the time.’

Szubanski said she had started a treatment called the Nordic protocol, which treats mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) by shrinking the tumours with a combination of drugs administered in five phases.