Patrick Kelechi, Lagos
DAILY COURIER - A U.S. court has delivered a significant ruling against boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., ordering him to pay $2.4 million to Zinni Media Concept Limited, a Nigerian company, for breaching a contract established in 2017. The agreement stipulated that Mayweather would make a series of promotional appearances in Africa, including Nigeria, but he subsequently canceled these commitments and refused to return the advance payment made by the firm.
The legal dispute began when Zinni Media Concept Limited filed a lawsuit after Mayweather failed to fulfill his contractual obligations. The court found in favor of the Nigerian company, leading to the $2.4 million judgment. Mayweather appealed the decision, but a California court upheld the ruling, reaffirming the financial liability he owed to Zinni Media.
As of now, Mayweather has not made the required payment, prompting Zinni Media’s legal team to explore options for enforcing the judgment. Reports indicate that U.S. attorneys may target Mayweather's luxury cars and other assets to recover the owed amount.
The case highlights the growing international scope of contractual agreements in the sports and entertainment industry, emphasizing that high-profile athletes must adhere to their commitments regardless of their fame or financial status. Zinni Media Concept Limited, which has been striving to promote sporting events in Nigeria, has underscored the importance of legal recourse in holding influential figures accountable for their actions.
As the situation unfolds, the outcome may have broader implications for how contracts are negotiated and enforced, particularly involving international parties. Fans and industry stakeholders are keenly observing Mayweather's next moves as this legal battle continues.
