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JOHANNESBURG. – American boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather (Junior) will arrive in South Africa next Wednesday for a five-day visit to various boxing clubs around the country, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Tuesday. Mbalula said the 36-year-old American – who is undefeated after 45 fights and has often been cited as the world’s best pound for pound boxer in the past two decades – will visit Soweto, Bloemfontein, East London and Cape Town.
Mbalula said Mayweather’s visit was essentially a goodwill mission.
“No financial liabilities were incurred by our office,” he said.
Mayweather was supposed to have visited South Africa for the Sports Awards at Sun City in November last year, but the five-division world champion – who also won eight world titles and the lineal championship in three different weight classes – shelved those plans.
“We announced last year our partnership with Floyd Mayweather (Junior), among others, and invited him to the country for the Sports Awards, but we had to review that,” Mbalula said.
‘’So the interaction is really based on excellence and the promotion of the sport of boxing in our country, hence we have termed it the Reawakening of the Giant.
“Our partnership with Floyd is about developing an academy,” Mbalula said.
“When Baby Jake Matlala passed on, I announced that we will upgrade and develop the Dube Boxing Club in Soweto (which was Matlala’s gym from his time in the amateur ranks until the end of his professional career) and name it after him.
“So this is part of the project that we will undertake, including an academy within the club.
“We will also have a dinner at Emperors Palace on the 18th where some sporting memorabilia such as Floyd’s boxing boots and gowns will be auctioned.
“The money raised will go towards the project.”
Mbalula said Mayweather is keen on developing boxing in South Africa.
“You will know boxing is a big sport in our country alongside football, cricket and athletics.
“Many of our fighters have fought (in international events) and interacted with the best boxers in the world, including Floyd (who bested Phillip Ndou in seven rounds in a 2003 bout).
“So our partnership with Floyd is about developing an academy but the long-term plan is to get him to fight here.” – Sport Live.
Online Reporter