Retired American boxer Floyd Mayweather has promised to build a boxing academy to aid the development of the sport in Nigeria. 

The boxer was speaking to the media on Sunday in Abuja, during a visiting as part of a global tour promoting his upcoming exhibition fight against Don Moore in Dubai on May 14.

The former multi-weight champion also visited the Abuja residence of the Minister of Transportation and All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi.

Speaking at the press conference, the boxer stated that he had always looked forward to visiting Nigeria, and so it was proper that he stopped by before heading to Dubai.

“Before I go to Dubai, I couldn’t choose a better place than Nigeria. 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 [Anis], one of my closest buddies, who is from Nigeria.”

On why he was building the boxing academy, Mayweather said, “It’s all about giving back. A while back, I knew we were supposed to come to Nigeria, but things didn’t go as expected, I’m here now, and I’m proud.

“Being in Africa and being able to travel around the continent. I’ve been to Johannesburg, Morocco, Egypt and now Nigeria. And, hopefully, before I’m gone, I get to see every country in Africa. Such a beautiful place. Africans worldwide show me love, and there’s nothing like African love.”

The exhibition bout between Mayweather and Moore will be held on the helipad of the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Floyd Mayweather retired from professional boxing in 2017, with an undefeated record, winning fifteen world championships.