AMERICAN boxer Floyd Mayweather has explained why he paid a visit to Nigeria to meet with transportation minister Rotimi Amaechi.
Boxing great Mayweather, who was unbeaten in 50 fights before retiring in 2017, was in Nigeria over the weekend and spent time with Amaechi.
The former world champion in multiple weight categories spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday and was a guest at Amaechi’s residence in the Nigerian capital the following day.
The 45-year-old, nicknamed ‘Money’ for the huge fortune he has made in boxing, said he was in Nigeria to promote his exhibition match against Don Moore in Dubai.
Mayweather, who owns boxing promotion outfit Mayweather Promotions, said he had been planning to visit Nigeria before now and will be back.
“Before I go to Dubai, I couldn’t choose a better place than Nigeria,” the flamboyant American said.
“I look forward to coming back to Nigeria to train and continue to build my legacy, and we also want to help build a boxing camp for the young youth and children coming up. With the help of Keane, one of my closest buddies, who is from Nigeria.”
Mayweather was regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the word during his heyday, and he was one of sports’ biggest box office attractions, earning tens of millions of dollars for his fights.
In 2018, he was the highest-paid athlete in the world, with total earnings, including endorsements, amounting to $285 million, according to Forbes.
Also, in November, 2021, Sportico released an all-time athlete earnings list, in which Mayweather ranked sixth all time, totaling an inflation-adjusted $1.2 billion throughout his career.
