A California court has ordered legendary boxer Floyd Mayweather to pay $2.4 million to Nigerian company Zzini Media Concept Limited after ruling that he breached an agreement to conduct promotional visits to various African countries, including Nigeria.
According to several reports from Nigerian media, the California Court of Appeal also found Mayweather guilty of fraud.
The case revolves around a contract that required Mayweather to make multiple trips to Africa, starting with a visit to Nigeria in June 2017. However, he did not fulfill his obligations, prompting Zzini Media Concept to seek legal recourse for reimbursement.
Mayweather’s legal team contended that since Zzini Media Concept is not based in the U.S., it did not have the authority to enforce payment. Nonetheless, the company successfully filed a lawsuit in a lower court.
The court ruled in favor of Zzini Media Concept, ordering Mayweather to pay $1,638,542 in damages, $721,881.32 in prejudgment interest, $16,270 in attorney fees, and $285 in court costs.
Despite Mayweather’s attempt to appeal the decision, the California Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s ruling on August 27, 2024.
Following the court’s verdict, Alex Nwankwo, an executive at Zzini Media Concept, remarked that the company’s success was due to a solid case.
He explained, “After several unsuccessful attempts to recover the appearance fees, the company filed a legal action against Mayweather in 2018, alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and fraud.”
“We are grateful that two courts have granted Zzini Media Ltd’s request to impose sanctions against Mayweather,” the statement continued.
Mayweather has reportedly refused to pay the amount, prompting the court to issue a fresh order targeting his assets, specifically his 2015 Bugatti GSV or his 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta.
The company’s statement further noted, “We have already defeated Mayweather and his attorneys numerous times in these proceedings, so the enforcement of the judgment will proceed. Our forensic investigators have also uncovered substantial assets indicating that Mayweather has been overstating his net worth.”