Zimbabwe can't conduct Ebola tests - ministry

Harare - Zimbabwe's health ministry has reportedly admitted it is not well equipped to deal with Ebola in the event of an outbreak in that southern African country.

News Day reported on Friday that the Zimbabwean government had no capacity to conduct tests to detect the deadly disease.

According to the report, officials in the ministry of health and child welfare said specimens from suspected cases of Ebola would be referred to South African laboratories for verification.

The Minister of Health David Parirenyatwa said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had already organised a courier service which would take any suspected Ebola case specimen to South Africa, the report said.

This comes as a Daily News report said earlier this week that Zimbabwe’s state of preparedness on the Ebola outbreak had been branded as worrisome by aid agencies.

Economic sanctions

Health experts warned that a lot needed to be done in terms of information dissemination and infrastructure development at hospitals to quarantine patients in case of an outbreak amid economic hardships and poorly-stocked state hospitals, the report said.

Ebola has claimed 1 552 in West Africa, according to the WHO, with 3 069 suspected or confirmed cases in the region.

The disease causes massive haemorrhaging and has a fatality rate of up to 90%. It is transmitted through contact with blood and other bodily fluids.

Reports say that Zimbabwe's health sector has been affected by brain-drain and funding constraints over the past 14 years.

President Robert Mugabe blames the poor state of health facilities on what he terms the West’s illegal economic sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States.

Ghana to become Ebola nerve centre

Accra - The Ghanaian presidency has announced that the United Nations will use Ghana as a base for supplies bound for countries stricken by the Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 1 550 people in West Africa.

More than 3 000 people have been infected since the virus was detected in the remote jungles of southeastern Guinea early this year and it has quickly spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria and Senegal reported its first case on Friday.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon had a telephone conversation with Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, who agreed to let international agencies use Ghana's capital as a base for air lifting supplies and personnel to affected countries.

Mahama chairs the West African regional grouping, Ecowas, which has set up a solidarity fund to fight the deadly disease.

"Using Accra as the logistics and co-ordination centre will open a vital corridor to get urgently needed supplies and health personnel into the affected countries and areas," a statement said.

Regular international commercial flights to the affected countries have been suspended, making it difficult for supplies to reach them.

The statement said the UN and local authorities would work closely to put in place appropriate screening and prevention measures to avoid any adverse effects on Ghana as a result of the international operations.

The UN will also help review and strengthen Ghana's Ebola preparedness as steps are taken to prevent the virus from spreading to that country, according to the statement.

Ebola virus mutating fast - researchers

Chicago - Genetic studies of some of the earliest Ebola cases in Sierra Leone reveal more than 300 genetic changes in the virus as it leapt from person to person, changes that could blunt the effectiveness of diagnostic tests and experimental treatments now in development, researchers said on Thursday.

"We found the virus is doing what viruses do. It's mutating," said Pardis Sabeti of Harvard University and the Broad Institute, who led the massive study of samples from 78 people in Sierra Leone, all of whose infections could be traced to a faith healer whose claims of a cure attracted Ebola patients from Guinea, where the virus first took hold.

The findings, published in Science, suggest the virus is mutating quickly and in ways that could affect current diagnostics and future vaccines and treatments, such as GlaxoSmithKline's Ebola vaccine, which was just fast-tracked to begin clinical trials, or the antibody drug ZMapp, being developed by California biotech Mapp Biopharmaceutical.

The findings come as the World Health Organisation said that the epidemic could infect more than 20 000 people and spread to more countries. A WHO representative could not immediately be reached for comment on the latest genetic study.

Immune system

Study co-author Robert Garry of Tulane University said the virus is mutating at twice the rate in people as it was in animal hosts, such as fruit bats.

Garry said the study has shown changes in the glycoprotein, the surface protein that binds the virus to human cells, allowing it to start replicating in its human host. "It's also what your immune system will recognise," he said.

In an unusual step, the researchers posted the sequences online as soon as they became available, giving other researchers early access to the data.

Erica Ollmann Saphire of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, has already checked the data to see if it impacts the three antibodies in ZMapp, a drug in short supply that has been tried on several individuals, including the two U.S. missionaries who contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone and who have since recovered.

"It appears that they do not [affect ZMapp]," said Saphire, who directs a consortium to develop antibody treatments for Ebola and related viruses. But she said the data "will be critical to seeing if any of the other antibodies in our pool could be affected."

'Hero' doctor

Saphire said the speed with which Sabeti and colleagues mapped genetic changes in the virus gives researchers information that "will also be critical" to companies developing RNA-based therapeutics.

That could impact treatments under way from Vancouver-based Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp and privately held Profectus BioSciences of Tarrytown, New York.

Part of what makes the data useful is the precise picture it paints as the epidemic unfolded. Sabeti credits years of work by her lab, colleagues at Tulane and the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation in developing a response network for Lassa fever, a virus similar to Ebola that is endemic in West Africa.

Several of the study authors gave their lives to the work, including Dr Sheik Humarr Khan, the beloved "hero" doctor from the Kenema Government Hospital, who died from Ebola.

The team had been doing surveillance for two months when the first case of Ebola arrived from Guinea on 25 May. That case involved a "sowei" or tribal healer, whose claim of a cure lured sick Ebola victims from nearby Guinea.

Initial spread

"When she contracted Ebola and died, there were a lot of people who came to her funeral," Garry said. One of these was a young pregnant woman who became infected and travelled to Kenema Government Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Ebola.

With the Lassa surveillance team in place, they quickly began testing samples.

"We've been able to capture the initial spread from that one person and to follow all of these contacts and everything with sequencing," Garry said.

The team used a technique called deep sequencing in which sequences are done repeatedly to generate highly specific results, allowing them to see not only how the virus is mutating from person to person, but how it is mutating in cells within the same person.

What is not clear from the study is whether the mutations are fuelling the epidemic by allowing the virus to grow better in people and become easier to spread. That will require further tests in the lab, Garry said.

First case of Ebola confirmed in Senegal

File: AP

Dakar - The first case of Ebola has been confirmed in Senegal, a major hub for the business and aid community in West Africa, Health Minister Awa Marie Coll Seck told a news conference on Friday.

The minister said the case was a Guinean national who had arrived from the neighbouring West African country, where the deadly virus was first detected in March.

Riots in Guinea as officials accused of transmitting Ebola

File: AFP

Conakry - Riots broke out in Guinea's second-largest city Nzerekore over rumours that health workers had infected people with the deadly Ebola virus, a Red Cross official and residents said on Friday.

A crowd of young men, some armed with clubs and pistols, set up barricades across the southern city on Thursday and threatened to attack the hospital before security forces moved in to restore order.

Gunshots were fired by the rioters and several people were injured, said Youssouf Traore, president of the Guinean Red Cross.

"A rumour, which was totally false, spread that we had sprayed the market in order to transmit the virus to locals," Traore said. "People revolted and resorted to violence, prompting soldiers to intervene."

Local Red Cross workers had to flee to the military camp with their medical equipment.

Concern over rising cases

Another resident said the security forces were preventing people leaving their neighbourhoods overnight.

The highly contagious Ebola virus was first reported in south-eastern Guinea in March and to date has killed more than 1 500 people in the worst outbreak in history.

More than 400 people have died in Guinea, although the rate of infection is slower than in neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Conakry says it has controlled the epidemic but has expressed concern over rising cases in the southern border region, which it blames on victims spilling over from neighbouring countries in search of better treatment.

The Guinean government's last health report for 26 August showed there were 12 suspected, probable and confirmed Ebola cases in Nzerekore.

Many people questioned Thuthukile Zuma’s rise from an entry-level position of public liaison officer to chief of staff – earning nearly R1 million annually – in only one year.

The appointment of Thuthukile Xolile Nomonde Zuma, the daughter of President Jacob Zuma, as the chief of staff in the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services raised eyebrows in South Africa recently.

At only 25 years of age Thuthukile Zuma became the youngest chief of staff of a minister’s office ever appointed in South Africa.

Thuthukile Zuma was born on 28 April 1989, and is the youngest of president Jacob Zuma’s four daughters with ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

She matriculated from Westerford High School in December 2006. In 2011 she graduated from Wits University with a BA in anthropology, and followed it up with an honours degree at the same institution at 2012.

In 2013 she joined the ministry of state security as a public liaison officer (age 24). In May 2014 she was appointed as the chief of staff in the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services at the age of 25.

Very fast professional rise

Many people questioned Thuthukile Zuma’s rise from an entry-level position of public liaison officer to chief of staff – earning nearly R1 million annually – in only one year.

The Mail & Guardian reported that this meteoric rise “raised concerns about political nepotism at the renamed Department of Telecommunications and Postal services”.

The new minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Siyabonga Cwele, was also the minister of state security where Thuthukile Zuma previously worked.

Thuthukile Zuma versus other ministerial chiefs of staff

MyBroadband selected a few ministerial chiefs of staff from other departments to see how their age and qualifications compare with that of Thuthukile Zuma.

What we found was that all of the surveyed chiefs of staff had a tertiary education, and were all between the ages of 40 and 65 (except for Thuthukile Zuma).

Ages of Government Department Chiefs of Staff

Thuthukile Zuma versus other graduates

To assess how Thuthukile Zuma’s professional progress compares with other BA Hons in anthropology graduates in South Africa, MyBroadband looked at the current positions of some of her peers.

To protect their privacy, the identities of people listed in the infographic below are not exposed. Market related salaries were used for their current positions.

Employment levels and annual salaries of 2012 BA Hons graduates

Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services explains

MyBroadband asked the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services whether Thuthukile Zuma was the best choice available for the position of chief of staff.

MyBroadband also asked the department how Thuthukile Zuma was able to gain the needed experience to become chief of staff so fast.

Department spokesperson Siyabulela Qoza said that her contract appointment in the ministry was consistent with the rules and regulations governing the appointment of people in government ministries.

“She holds an honours degree. Ms Zuma has worked with the Minister before. The Minister only considered her capacity to the job and her qualifications. Her genealogy was never a consideration,” said Qoza.

“Ms Zuma, just like all citizens, enjoys the freedom to participate in any economic activity, including being employed in government or the private sector.”

Floyd Mayweather Junior’s Family Background

Floyd Mayweather Junior’s Family Background

There are five boxers in the family.  The eldest boxer in the family is Floyd Mayweather Senor.  He has two brothers that are a boxer also namely: Roger Mayweather and Jeff Mayweather.  Mayweather Sr. has two sons that are a boxer also namely: Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Justine Jones which through DNA test he found out that he is his son.

     Floyd Mayweather Sr., Roger Mayweather and Jeff Mayweather turn trainers after their boxing career.  Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Justine Jones are still active boxers.

Father: Floyd Mayweather Sr.
Birth Name: Floyd Joy Mayweather
Born: 1952-10-19
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, USA
Nationality: US American
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Boxing Record: won 28 (KO 18)  + lost 6 (KO 2)  + drawn 1  = 35 rounds boxed 234 KO% 51.43 
Manager: Hank Grooms
Boxing Career

     ·    Two-time Michigan Golden Gloves Champion (1973 & 1974)

     ·    As a professional, Mayweather was ranked among the top ten welterweights in the world until he was stopped by Sugar Ray Leonard.

     ·    Shortly after fighting Leonard, Mayweather was shot in the leg during a family dispute. The injury almost halted his career.

Training Career

     ·    Claims to be "the greatest trainer in the world."

     ·    Mayweather has trained Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Joan Guzman, and Chad 

          Dawson.

     ·    Awarded "Trainer of the Year" by the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003, 2006, and 2008

     ·    Received the WBC "Lifetime Achievement Award"

Roger Mayweather (uncle of Mayweather Jr.)

Alias: Black Mamba
Born: 1961-04-24
Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Nationality: US American
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Boxing Record: won 59 (KO 35)  + lost 13 (KO 6)  + drawn 0  = 72 rounds boxed 516 KO% 48.61 
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′ 7½″ / 171cm
Reach: 73½″ / 187cm
Trainer: Jesse Reid
Manager: Bill Baxter
Career Summary

Roger Mayweather was a two-time world champion. His first world title was the WBC super featherweight title, which he held from 1983 to 1984. He eventually moved up to light welterweight and captured the WBC title 1987, which he held until 1989. He later would capture the IBO light welterweight and IBO welterweight titles. Mayweather closed out his title wins by capturing the lightly regarded IBA welterweight belt.

He briefly stylized himself as the "Mexican Assassin", after a string of victories, most by knockout, over a series of world class Mexican fighters in Los Angeles between 1986 and 1989. This led to his second meeting with Mexico's top fighter Julio Cesar Chavez, who stopped him in ten rounds.

Mayweather was known for having good boxing skills, long arms, and a good right hand. However, he was widely considered by most boxing observers as having a bad chin.

Post-Fighting Career

He trained his nephew Floyd. He drew national attention after he entered the ring in the 10th round of Floyd's April 8, 2006 bout with Zab Judah, after his nephew was fouled by Judah near the end of the round. Mayweather was promptly suspended for one year and fined $200,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Legal Troubles

August 3, 2009 - Mayweather, 48, was arrested on felony coercion and battery-strangulation charges and later freed from the Clark County jail on $13,000 bail, said Detective Ramon Denby, a police department spokesman. According to a police report, an officer responding to a disconnected 911 call found Mayweather fighting with a 25-year-old woman at the apartment in northwest Las Vegas. The woman, professional boxer Melissa St Vil, told police she had been punched in the ribs and hit Mayweather with a lamp during a struggle. She was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to a Las Vegas hospital for treatment of injuries that included redness around her throat, police said. Mayweather had injuries on the head and the side of his face. It was not clear if he required medical treatment before he was taken to jail. The report says Mayweather formerly trained the St Vil, and had been following her since she severed their business relationship and went to another gym. It said Mayweather owns the apartment and was upset that his tenant was letting the woman live at the apartment. The tenant was not home at the time of the alleged attack, police said. 

Jeff Mayweather (uncle of Mayweather Jr.)

Alias: Jazzy

Born: 1964-07-04

Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Nationality: US American

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Boxing Record: won 32 (KO 10)  + lost 10 (KO 2)  + drawn 5  = 47 rounds boxed 339 KO% 21.28

Stance: Orthodox

Career Summary

"Jazzy" Jeff Mayweather, known by the boxing media as the quiet Mayweather, boxed from super featherweight to light welterweight. He was a super featherweight IBO titleholder. He is the brother of Floyd Mayweather and Roger Mayweather, and the uncle of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Justin Jones, Mayweather was the trainer of former WBO Heavyweight Sultan Ibragimov.

Justine Jones (half brother of Mayweather Jr.)

Is a promising amateur light-middleweight out of the Mayweather family's hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., discovered from a DNA test that Floyd Mayweather Sr is his father.

This makes Jones a younger (paternal) brother of former Pound for Pound King and five division champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., and a nephew of former world boxing champions Roger Mayweather and Jeff Mayweather.  Mayweather Sr has taken over training of his newly, discovered son, Jones.

Mayweather Jr Net Worth : $300 million(Forbes)

Mayweather Jr Net Worth : $300 million(Forbes)

Earning Per Fight: $50 million

Major Brands:  None

Sport: Boxing

Age: 35

Forbes Highest paid sportsmen List: 1st

Sport Illustrated Fortune 100: 1st

How much Mayweather is worth again ? Well he is believed to be much more than $150 and growing in every fight he is involved in, his most recent fight against Robert Guerrero earned him $34 Millions while in 2012 he fought twice and made $90 in one year and became the highest earning athlete in the world. His next fight is against Canel Alvarez which will be net him at least $70 million because of the magnitude of the fight and he can anytime cash the pacquioa fight which is believed to be worth $200 millions.

————————————————

Floyd Mayweather Career Earning Per Fight

Here is the breakdown of recent 10 fights and what they earned him in the process, starting with Carlos Baldomir his first big payday which netting him just little less than $10M, rest are shown below.

While His biggest purse to date was against Miguel Cotto last year as he earned around $40 Millions in single fight

1. Carlos Baldomir – $8 M
2. Oscar De La Hoya – $25 M
3. Ricky Hatton – $25M
4. WWE Wrestling Appearance – $20 M
5. Juan Manuel Márquez – $25M
6. Sugar Shane Mosley – $30M
7. Victor Ortiz – $40M
8. Miguel Cotto – $40M
9. Robert Guerrero – $34M

Total Career Earning 

Mayweather’s $200 Showtime Deal
Mayweather has signed a six-fight deal with CBS/Showtime, and those six fights are supposed to happen in the next 30 months and one is already done and 5 remaining, do we think Mayweather will fight 5 times in two years time ? well he is aging and even when he was young he was only fighting twice a yeat at most so I can’t see that happening.

why mayweather has no endorsements ?
He said it in an interview to SportsIllustrated this year, that If major brands like Nike, Adidas, Pepsi, Coke they want him they need to pay. So it looks as if major brands are not willing to pay what Mayweather demands so no endorsements. After all its all about the money man.

Where Do Mayweather Spend His money?
He is real spender and a shrewd businessman, takes care of his contracts and money on his own, never earned a single deal with endorsements, but where do his spend the money ? He bought flash cars, mentions, show off his betting slips on twitter (well only the one his wins) and much more.

Mayweather JR cars collections 

1. Mayweather Downtown Las Vegas Mension:
Floyed mayweather bought a massive mension in Las Vegas back in 2005 for around $9 Millions (which he reportedly want to sell now) and this huge mension comes with all sorts of luxuries a man can want, on top of those it is located near the hub of Vegas night life and if you have bank account as massive as Floyed why wont you buy immunities like that.

Floyd Mayweather Jr's Biography

Most commonly known to many as: Floyd Mayweather Jr Birth Name: Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr Character Information Aliases: Money Pretty Boy Born: February 24, 1977 Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States Nationality: United States Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Boxing Record: 44 wins - 26 of which by knockouts 0 loss 0 draw 0 No Contest (NC) Total fights = 45 - total rounds boxed = 339 Knockout Wins % = 57.78%  Knockout Loss % = 0% Winning % = 100% Losing % = 0% Draw % = 0% No Contest % = 0% Stance: Orthodox Height: 5' 8" / 173cm Reach: 72 / 183cm Trainers: Floyd Mayweather Sr.  Roger Mayweather (current) Manager: James Prince (former) Medal = 1 Bronze - 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta Georgia, USA Total Titles Held(regional, minor and world) = 15 WBC SuperFeatherweight Title (1998-10-03) The Ring Lightweight Title (2002-04-20) WBC Lightweight Title (2002-04-20) WBC Light Welterweight Title (2005-06-25) IBF Welterweight Title (2006-04-08) IBO Welterweight Title (2006-04-08) IBA Welterweight Title (2006-11-04) The Ring Welterweight Title (2006-11-04 and 2013-5-4) WBC Welterweight Title (2006-11-04 and 2011-09-17) WBC Light Middleweight Title (2007-05-05) WBA Super World Light Middleweight Title (2012-05-05) WBC Diamond Light Middleweight Title (2012-05-05) WBC Super Welterweight Title (2013-09-14) WBA Super World Super Welterweight Title (2013-09-14) The Ring Junior Middleweight Title (2013-09-14) Total Weight Division Titles = 5  130lbs, 58.97kg = Super Featherweight, also known as Junior Lightweight 135lbs, 61.23kg = Lightweight 140lbs, 63.5kg = Light Welterweight, also known as Junior Welterweight and Super Lightweight 147lbs, 66.68kg = Welterweight 154lbs, 69.85kg = Light Middleweight, also known as Junior Middleweight and Super Welterweight

Floyd Joy Mayweather, Jr. (born Floyd Sinclair on February 24, 1977), is an "Undefeated" American professional boxer.   He won titles in five different weight divisions and he is also an Olympic Bronze Medallist. Over the last few years of his career, he was widely recognized as the best boxer, pound-for-pound, in the world. Mayweather comes from a prominent boxing family, which includes his father Floyd Mayweather Sr. and uncles Jeff Mayweather and Roger Mayweather, who was a world champion in two weight classes.  In 2007, Mayweather Sr. learned from DNA that he has another son -- Justin Jones, a promising 19-year-old light middleweight amateur in Mayweather's hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Amateur Career

Mayweather Jr. had an amateur record of 84-6 and won national Golden Gloves championships in 1993 (at 106 lb), 1994 (at 114 lb), and 1996 (at 125 lb).  He was given the nickname "Pretty Boy" by his amateur teammates because he had relatively few scars, a result of the defensive techniques that his father (Floyd Mayweather, Sr.) and uncle (Roger Mayweather) had taught him.  In his orthodox defensive stance, Mayweather—much like James Toney—often utilizes the 'shoulder roll'. The shoulder roll is an old-school boxing technique in which the right hand is held normally or slightly higher than normal, the left hand is down around the midsection, and the lead shoulder is raised high on the cheek in order to cover the chin and block punches. The right hand (from orthodox stance) is used, as it normally would be to block punches coming from the other side, such as left hooks. From this stance, Mayweather blocks, slips, and deflects most of his opponents' punches, even when cornered, by twisting left and right to the rhythm of their punches.

At the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Mayweather won a bronze medal by reaching the semi-finals of the featherweight (57 kg) division's 31-boxer tournament. In the opening round, Mayweather led 10-1 on points over Bakhtiyar Tileganov of Kazakhstan before he won by round 2 referee stoppage. In the second round, Mayweather outpointed Artur Gevorgyan of Armenia 16-3. In the quarterfinals, Mayweather survived a late rally by Lorenzo Aragon of Cuba to win 12-11. In his semifinal bout against the eventual silver medalist, Serafim Todorov of Bulgaria, Mayweather lost by a controversial decision that the U.S. team officially protested. Many who saw the bout, including the referee (who mistakenly raised Mayweather's hand when the decision was read), believed that Mayweather had won.

Professional Career

He got a title shot at the age of 21 against WBC Super Featherweight Champion Genaro Hernandez, who had lost only once in 40 fights. Mayweather dominated the fight before Hernandez's corner conceded defeat after six rounds. Mayweather fought Angel Manfredy just two months later in a high-profile bout, which Mayweather won by a second-round TKO. After defending his belt four more times, Mayweather was matched with the undefeated Diego Corrales. Mayweather dominated the entire fight, knocking down Corrales five times before the latter's father stop the contest.

After two more title defenses, Mayweather moved up in weight and fought WBC Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo, a veteran of many battles, including a win and a draw against the crafty Stevie Johnston. Mayweather, fighting with an injured shoulder, won by a controversial unanimous decision. A rematch was immediately scheduled to end the dispute, which Mayweather won by a clear unanimous decision. Wins against Victoriano Sosa, Phillip N'dou, and DeMarcus Corley followed.

Mayweather then had what some termed a "superfight" with the popular but limited WBC Super Light Champion Arturo Gatti. Gatti had beaten a number of high profile opponents, including Leonard Dorin, Micky Ward, and Jesse James Leija, but he had failed to face any of the top fighters in the division. On June 25, 2005, Mayweather beat Gatti to become a three-division champion. However, Mayweather's claim to the world 140-pound championship was tenuous at best, given that he failed to face the universally-recognized legitimate champion, Ricky Hatton.

On April 8, 2006, Mayweather won the IBF Welterweight Championship with a unanimous decision over Zab Judah. The win garnered Mayweather his fourth world championship in four weight classes. However, once again his claim to the title was considered spurious by most, given that the linear title ran through Carlos Manuel Baldomir, who defeated Judah in his previous fight. On November 4, 2006, Mayweather earned an easy decision victory over Baldomir, shutting him out on two of the three scorecards.

On May 5, 2007, Mayweather defeated WBC Super Welterweight Champion and “Six Division World Champion” Oscar De La Hoya by a split decision to become a world champion in five different weight classes.  This fight generated $120 million in revenue, live gate of $19 million, beating previous record of $16 million held by Evander Holyfield vs Lennox Lewis rematch, and selling a total of 2.4 million household Pay-per-view buys. Beating the previous record of 1.99 million held by Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson II

After the fight with Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather announced that he was retiring.  But on Dec 8, 2007, he fought Ricky Hatton, retaining his WBC Welterweight Championship by a tenth-round TKO. Mayweather landed a left hook to Hatton's jaw early in the 10th that sent the challenger down. Hatton bravely got up but was quickly knocked back down, and the fight was called off. Mayweather was ahead 88-82, 89-81, and 89-81 at the time of the stoppage.

After his win over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton he was ranked "Number 14" by Forbes Magazine as the Biggest Celebrity Paydays of 2007.  On 22nd June 2010 he was listed on Forbes magazine and ranked "Number 2" as the most powerful and richest Sport Athlete of 2010, Mayweather however earned the second most out of any athlete on the list in 2010 falling just behind Tiger Woods with earnings of $65 million ($65,000,000,00).

 He is also the co-founder of HBO 24/7 (TV series), HBO alongside Floyd Mayweather produced an excellent series of countdowns previewing their big Pay-per-view fights. These shows are 30 minute specials designed to get undecided and casual fans excited enought to pay $50 needed to watch the fight live.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr is one of two boxers ever in Compubox history to go an entire round without being hit, The other is Roy Jones, Jr.

It appeared that Mayweather was going to have a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya on September 20, 2008, but Mayweather announced his retirement on June 6, 2008.

On May 2, 2009, Mayweather announced his intentions to return to the ring and fight Juan Manuel Marquez in July 2009.  But the fight between Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel was scheduled on September 19, 2009.  It was a 12 round bout and Mayweather Jr. won via unanimous decision.  After that he fought Shane Mosley on May 1, 20010.  Mayweather Jr. won again via unanimous decision.

World Wrestling Entertainment

Mayweather appeared at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s No Way Out pay-per-view on February 17, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was involved in a storyline physical altercation with The Big Show, after Mayweather jumped a security barricade and attacked him with a punching combination, in an attempt to help Rey Mysterio, whom Show threatened to choke slam. Originally, Mayweather took on a babyface role in the storylines, though met with some reluctance from the fans.  The attack resulted in Big Show receiving an actual broken nose, reportedly not part of the storyline. The following night on Raw, Big Show challenged Mayweather to a one on one No Disqualification match at WrestleMania XXIV, which Mayweather accepted. At WrestleMania, Mayweather turned heel by using various underhanded tactics and defeated Big Show by knockout using brass knuckles to maintain his unbeaten record.[86] Mayweather claimed that he was paid $20,000,000 USD for the fight, but WWE's financial statements do not show the number.

Mayweather was the guest host for WWE Raw in Las Vegas on August 24, 2009. He interfered with a tag team match that resulted in a loss for the Big Show (now heel again) and his partner Chris Jericho as Mayweather gave Montel Vontavious Porter brass knuckles to use to knock Jericho out, giving Porter and his new tag team partner Mark Henry the win and a shot at the Unified WWE Tag Team Titles at WWE Breaking Point against Big Show and Jericho. He then celebrated with Henry and Porter, thus turning face. Later on in the night he was involved in a backstage segment with Mr. McMahon, D-Generation X, and Carlito where he helped Mr. McMahon get ready for his 6 Man Tag Team Match against Legacy along with DX. During the segment, McMahon knocked out Carlito.

Dancing With The Stars 

Floyd Mayweather Jr appeared on Dancing With The Stars his partner was the famous Ukrainian American born professional ballroom dancer Karina Smirnoff. It was the fifth season of the show and on October 16, 2007, Karina and Floyd were the fourth couple to be eliminated from the competition and came in 9th place.

Popular Culture 

After his win over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, Forbes magazine ranked Mayweather "Number 14" as the Biggest Celebrity Paydays of 2007.

On 22nd June 2010 Floyd Mayweather was ranked "Number 31" on Forbes Magazine as the most richest and most powerful celebrity. Mayweather however earned the second most out of any athlete on the list, falling just behind Tiger Woods with earnings of $65 million in 2010. Ranked ahead of Mayweather on the list was Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Roger Federer.

Mayweather was ranked a good deal ahead of fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao was ranked "Number 55" by Forbes magazine with earnings of $42 million.

In 2007 Mayweather was involved in a commercial advertising for AT&T alongside Bill Curtis Mayweather is currently sponsored by Reebok, Before his upcoming bout with Shane Mosley Mayweather was seen wearing Reebok ZigTechs, a very popular brand of training shoes worn by athletes. Reebok stated that "Floyd’s preparation has been incredible and these shoes are helping him train longer, harder, and faster to be in the best shape he can be in for this fight.”

Amateur Highlights

·    Amateur Record: 84-6

·    1993 National Golden Gloves Light Flyweight Champion

·    1994 National Golden Gloves Flyweight Champion

·    1995 United States Amateur Featherweight Champion

·    1995 U.S. featherweight representative at the World Championships in Berlin. Results were:

     o    Defeated Marian Leondraliu (Romania) PTS (8-7)

     o    Lost to Nouredine Medjihoud (Algeria) PTS (6-8)

·    1996 National Golden Gloves Featherweight Champion

·    1996 Qualified as a featherweight for the United States Olympic Team. Results were:

     o    Defeated William Jenkins RSC-3

     o    Defeated James Baker RSCH-1

     o    Lost to Augie Sanchez PTS (11-12)

     o    Defeated Carlos Navarro PTS (31-11)

     o    Defeated Augie Sanchez PTS (12-8) at the Box-offs

     o    Defeated Augie Sanchez PTS (20-10) at the Box-offs

·    1996 Featherweight Bronze Medalist for the United States at the Olympics in Atlanta. Results were:

     o    Defeated Bakhtiyar Tileganov (Kazakhstan) RSCI-2

     o    Defeated Artur Gevorgyan (Armenia) PTS (16-3)

     o    Defeated Lorenzo Aragon (Cuba) PTS (12-11)

     o    Lost to Serafim Todorov (Bulgaria) PTs (9-10)

Awards And Recognitions

• 1993 Michigan State Golden Gloves Champion, 106 Lbs
• 1993 National Golden Gloves Champion, 106 Lbs
• 1994 Michigan State Golden Gloves Champion, 112 Lbs
• 1994 National Golden Gloves Champion, 112 Lbs; Outstanding Boxer Award
• 1995 National PAL Champion, 125 Lbs; Outstanding Boxer Award
• 1995 U.S. National Amateur Featherweight Champion, 125 Lbs
• 1995 Competed at Featherweight at the World Amateur Boxing Championships
• 1996 Michigan State Golden Gloves Champion, 125 Lbs
• 1996 National Golden Gloves Champion, 125 Lbs
• 1996 Qualified as a Featherweight for the United States Olympic Team
• 1996 Atlanta Olympics Featherweight Bronze medalist
• 1998 and 2007 International Boxing Award Fighter of the Year
• 1998 and 2007 The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
• 2000–09 Yahoo! Sports, Best of the Decade
• 2002 World Boxing Hall of Fame Fighter of the Year
• 2005 and 2007 World Boxing Council Boxer of the Year
• 2005–08 The Ring 'number one' pound for pound
• 2007 Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year
• 2007 ESPN Fighter of the Year
• 2007 Forbes Magazine, Ranked "Number 14" Richest Celebrity Paydays
• 2007 New York Daily News Fighter of the Year
• 2007 World Boxing Council Event of the Year (The World Awaits)
• 2007 World Boxing Council Knockout of the Year (against Ricky Hatton)
• 2007, 2008 and 2010 Best Fighter ESPY Award
• 2007, 2008 and 2010 The Ring Magazine Event of the Year
• 2008 Sports Illustrated, The 50 Highest-Earning American Athletes (ranked 4th)
• 2008 Yahoo Sports, Ranked "Number 6" Most Powerful People in Boxing
• 2009 The Ring Magazine Comeback of the Year
• 2009–10 BoxRec, BBC Sport and Yahoo! Sports 'number one' pound for pound
• 2010 Yahoo! Sports Boxing's Most Influential (ranked 70th)
• 2010 Forbes Magazine Celebrity 100 (ranked 31st)
• 2010 Forbes Magazine, The World's 50 Top-Earning Athletes (ranked 2nd)
• 2010 Sports Illustrated, The 50 Highest-Earning American Athletes (ranked 3rd)
• 2012 Forbes Magazine #1 of the world's 100 highest paid athletes.
• 2012 Sports Illustrated #1 fortunes 50.
• 2012 Best Fighter ESPY Award.
• 2013 The Ring 'number one' pound for pound.

More diamond syndicate arrests expected

(File)

Johannesburg - The Hawks expect to arrest more people linked to a multi-million rand illicit diamond dealing syndicate, spokesperson Paul Ramaloko said on Tuesday.

"The operation continues, which includes raids and seizures. At least 35 people are targeted through the operation," Ramaloko said.

He said 26 people, aged between 23 and 70, appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate's Court and were granted bail of between R5 000 and R500 000.

The charges included money laundering and using unregistered premises as a diamond trading house. Four of them were women.

Ramaloko said the arrests were part of Project Darling that was initiated in 2012 to eliminate illicit diamond trade with a specific focus on the Northern Cape and links to the rest of the country.

Among seizures made was R4.417m cash, 66 diamonds, 16 digital scales, laptops, vehicles, two firearms, 282 rounds of ammunition, and an elephant tusk.

"We believe that the discovery of the tusk could lead to more illegal activities committed by the suspects," Ramaloko said.

The raids were conducted in Johannesburg and Kimberley.

Ramaloko said in 31 transactions 490 diamonds were sold to the accused. These amounted to R43.183m.

Twenty-three transactions comprising 76 diamonds amounting to R380 000 were purchased from the accused.

Charges of tax evasion would be added in due course, Ramaloko said.