Floyd Mayweather Jr. is one of boxing’s most popular fighters, having broken pay-per-view records and accrued generational wealth. Additionally, his legacy in the sport can never be questioned. He is an all-time great with a mythical 50-0 record and a litany of world champions on his list of conquests.
Thus, it is only natural that a country like Zimbabwe welcomed him in 2023. During his visit, ‘Money’ took part in an open workout, entertaining the gathered crowd with some light work on the heavy bag. However, there was a deeper, more political element to his visit.
So, why exactly did Mayweather visit Zimbabwe, and what purpose did it serve the African nation?
Floyd Mayweather Jr. previously visited Nigeria
In 2022, Floyd Mayweather Jr. visited Nigeria in an effort to promote boxing. The country, while no stranger to combat sports, has not yet produced the level of boxers at the high rate it envisions.
Thus, Mayweather’s visit there was meant to galvanize the sport’s growth there, with the all-time great expressing a desire to open gyms in Nigeria, which he believed would help discover a new generation of African boxers.
Why did Floyd Mayweather Jr. visit Zimbabwe?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s Zimbabwe visit in 2023 was one of the most surprising detours the all-time great boxer took in his public affairs. ‘Money’ was invited to the country by Zimbabwean politician Pedzisayi Sakupwanya, who is occasionally referred to as Scott Sakupwanya.
While Mayweather’s arrival to Zimbabwe was presented as a means of promoting the sport of boxing in the country, his open workout, which consisted of hitting the heavy bag and skipping rope, took place at a ZANU-PF rally. For reference, ZANU-PF is the ruling political party in Zimbabwe.
Moreover, ZANU-PF is the party for which Sakupwanya was, at the time, running a parliamentary seat in the Aug. 2023 general elections. Sakupwanya described the doubts he faced ahead of Mayweather’s appearance, with many dismissing his ability to coax the American to Zimbabwean soil.
Thus, he framed Mayweather’s visit as evidence that he can deliver on his promises, which he vowed to do if elected. Due to Mayweather’s popularity and success as one of boxing’s biggest-ever draws, the prevailing belief was that ‘Money’ was merely being used by ZANU-PF to sway younger voters.
Mayweather also visited Victoria Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls, before ultimately returning to the United States.
