an appellate court in the United States has upheld a lower court’s decision, ordering former world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. to pay N4.2 billion in damages to Nigerian-based company Zinni Media Concept Limited. The court found Mayweather guilty of breach of contract and fraud in a case that highlights the complex intersections of international business and the enforcement of legal agreements.
The case centers around a 2017 agreement between Zinni Media Concept Limited and Mayweather, in which the boxer was contracted to make several appearances across Africa, including a highly anticipated visit to Nigeria. However, despite receiving advance payments from the company, Mayweather unilaterally terminated the contract without providing a valid reason or returning the funds.
Zinni Media Concept Limited, represented by CEO Prince Donatus Okonkwo, initially sought only the reimbursement of their deposits. However, Mayweather and his legal team reportedly argued that because Zinni Media was based outside the United States, they were not entitled to any refund. This stance prompted the Nigerian company to seek legal recourse in the US, ultimately leading to a drawn-out legal battle.
According to a statement from Zinni Media, the company felt “violated and robbed,” leaving them with no option but to engage legal representation in the United States to address the breach. Despite multiple attempts to recover the fees directly from Mayweather, the company was forced to file a lawsuit in 2018, citing breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and fraud.
In October 2023, a lower court in California ruled in favor of Zinni Media, ordering Mayweather to pay $1,638,542 in damages, along with $721,881.32 in prejudgment interest, $16,270 in attorney fees, and $285 in additional costs. Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mayweather filed an appeal. However, on August 27, 2024, the California Court of Appeal upheld the original ruling, confirming that Mayweather was liable for the full amount.
The ruling was affirmed in documents made available to the public, signed by Eva McClintock, Clerk of the Court of Appeals for the State of California. The document references the Second Appellate District under Case No. B334403, further solidifying the court’s decision. Zinni Media was represented by Okeke & Associates, while Mayweather’s legal team included attorneys from Eisner LLP.
Despite the finality of the ruling, Zinni Media noted that Mayweather has yet to make any payments, and the judgment continues to accrue interest at a rate of 10% per year. In an effort to enforce the court’s decision, Zinni Media’s legal team has been authorized to target some of Mayweather’s high-value assets, including a 2015 Bugatti GSV and a 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, both of which exceed the judgment amount.
The case underscores the importance of honoring international contracts and the potential legal ramifications for failing to do so. Zinni Media expressed confidence in the enforcement of the judgment, having already prevailed against Mayweather and his legal team on multiple occasions during the legal proceedings. The company’s forensic investigators have also reportedly uncovered several of Mayweather’s assets, indicating that the former champion is still financially successful despite his public portrayal of his net worth.
In a lighthearted remark, Prince Donatus Okonkwo, Zinni Media’s CEO, was asked about the possibility of acquiring Mayweather’s Bugatti or Ferrari as part of the settlement. He responded with humor, noting that while the cars are undoubtedly fast, “there are no good roads to drive them in Nigeria.”
This case marks a significant victory for Zinni Media and sets a precedent for African companies seeking justice in international courts.
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