Izuchukwu Okosi
Retired boxing hit Floyd Mayweather has pledged to open a Boxing academy in Nigeria as he arrived in the country in style ahead of the ‘Skies of Dubai’ on Saturday May 14.
Mayweather who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja in his $60 million private jet and met with former Rivers state Governor and Presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amechi is expected to take on Don Moore in an exhibition fight.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe boxer, who is considered the richest in the sport of boxing, is visiting Africa for just the second time after his 2014 trip to South Africa.
The 45-year-old boxer, who is regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter, is in Nigeria to promote his upcoming bout against Moore after coming out of retirement.
The American boxer also came into Nigeria with a convoy of RR wraith, RR Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, 2022 Landcruiser Prado, Mercedes Benz S-class, Mercedes Benz GLE, 2018 Toyota Prado, and Toyota Hilux.
“The ultimate plan is to find the next Mayweather. I want to work with kids; I will come over to meet and talk to make sure we are all on the same page, and slowly start building these fighters. We just want to help,” Mayweather told the All Progressives Congress aspirant Amechi in his Abuja home.
“It’s all about giving back, helping the youths and the young generation coming up. I want to build a boxing camp for the kids. Different American trainers will come over and work with them.
“There are so many talents in the sports world over there in the United States, and Africa is dominating in the US now. There are so many hidden talents, so many skills, so we want the world to see these skills.
“We don’t want it to be hidden, like I was able to display my skills and talents to the world, here I am today. I want to build an academy just for the children to grow.”
In his response, Amechi who is also Nigeria’s Transportation minister commended the former champions fro choosing to establish the academy in Nigeria.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
