An appellate court in California has upheld the judgment of a lower court ordering boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. to pay N4.2 billion in damages to Nigerian company Zinni Media Concept Limited over breach of contract and fraud.
The ruling confirmed Mayweather’s failure to honour a contract that required him to appear in Nigeria and other African countries in 2017, an agreement that he terminated without cause.
Zinni Media, represented by its CEO, Prince Donatus Okonkwo, initially sought reimbursement for deposits made in advance for the appearances. However, after multiple unsuccessful attempts to recover the funds, the company filed a legal suit in 2018, alleging breach of contract, fraud, and unjust enrichment.
The case progressed through the courts, and on October 31, 2023, a lower court in California ordered Mayweather to pay Zinni $1.6 million in damages and additional amounts in interest and attorney fees, totalling over N4.2 billion.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mayweather’s legal team filed an appeal, but on August 27, 2024, the California Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s decision, supporting the claims of breach and fraud.
Despite the judgment’s finality, Mayweather has reportedly refused to pay the awarded amount, which continues to accrue interest at 10% per annum. To enforce the judgment, Zinni Media’s legal representatives have sought to settle the debt by targeting Mayweather’s luxury assets, including a 2015 Bugatti GSV and a 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta.
Zinni’s legal representatives, Okeke & Associates, PC, remain determined to enforce the ruling, having previously overcome several legal challenges from Mayweather’s attorneys. Prince Okonkwo humorously noted that while these luxury cars are valuable, Nigeria’s road conditions make them unsuitable for local driving.
Prince Okonkwo, a prominent business figure and former Anambra governorship aspirant, has expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. He continues to serve as the Honorary Consul of the Democratic Republic of Congo to Nigeria and Chairman of the Tetrazzini Group of companies.
