Floyd Mayweather Jr. stripped of WBO welterweight title

Floyd Mayweather was stripped of the WBO welterweight title
He won by defeating Manny Pacquiao
for failure to comply with the organization's rules.

ESPN - The WBO stripped pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather of his welterweight world title on Monday for his failure to comply with the organization's rules.

Mayweather claimed the WBO welterweight title when he outpointed Manny Pacquiao on May 2 in a 147-pound unification fight that shattered all financial records for a boxing match, including total gross, pay-per-view subscriptions, closed circuit revenue, live gate, foreign television sales and sponsorships.

Mayweather, who holds two other alphabet welterweight world titles, missed the 4:30 p.m. ET Friday deadline by which he had to pay a $200,000 sanctioning fee from the May 2 fight (for which he earned more than $220 million) and vacate the two junior middleweight titles he also holds.


Floyd Mayweather was stripped of the WBO welterweight title he won by defeating Manny Pacquiao for failure to comply with the organization's rules. Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports
"The WBO world championship committee is allowed no other alternative but to cease to recognize Mr. Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the WBO welterweight champion of the world and vacate his title for failing to comply with our WBO regulations of world championship contests," the WBO wrote Monday in its resolution.

It is against sanctioning organization rules for boxers to hold world titles in multiple weight classes. The WBC and WBA had been breaking their own rules by allowing Mayweather to hold their titles, but the WBO upheld its rules.

Typically, the WBO will allow a fighter 10 days to decide which weight class he wants to continue to hold the title in if he wins titles in multiple weight divisions. The WBO gave Mayweather two months to decide.

Once the Friday deadline expired, the WBO sent the issue to its championship committee, which voted Monday afternoon to strip Mayweather of the belt for not complying with either request.

"The WBO has the utmost respect for Floyd Mayweather Jr. and all that he has accomplished during his storied career," the WBO wrote in its resolution. "Mr. Mayweather has always agreed with and understood that world championships have both privileges and responsibilities and that status as WBO champion is subject to and conditioned on compliance with the WBO rules and regulations."

The Mayweather camp was displeased by the ruling.

"It's a complete disgrace," Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com. "Floyd will decide what, or if any, actions he will take. But in the meantime he's enjoying a couple of hundred million he made from his last outing and this has zero impact on anything he does.

"Floyd Mayweather has a great deal of respect for each and every organization, as he has always had in his 19-year career, but he will not be dictated to by any organization or person as it relates to his decision making."

After Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) defeated Pacquiao to unify three of the four major welterweight world titles, he spoke at length at the postfight news conference about how he planned to vacate all his titles in order to give younger fighters the chance to realize their dreams of winning belts.

"I don't know if it will be Monday [May 4] or maybe a couple weeks," Mayweather said in the news conference. "I'll talk to my team and see what we need to do. Other fighters need a chance. Give other fighters a chance. I'm not greedy. I'm a world champion in two different weight classes. It's time to let other fighters fight for the belt."

After Mayweather's pronouncement, the WBO sanctioned the June 27 fight between former titleholder Timothy Bradley Jr. and junior welterweight titlist Jessie Vargas for its vacant welterweight title. When Mayweather heard, he objected to the WBO in a letter from his lawyer, John Hornewer, on May 20. The WBO then laid out to Mayweather what he needed to do to keep the title, namely pay the fee and vacate the junior middleweight belts.

The WBO also reclassified the Bradley-Vargas bout for the interim title. With the WBO withdrawing recognition of Mayweather as its welterweight titleholder, it soon will formally elevate Bradley, who won a unanimous decision against Vargas, to full titleholder.
"I'm not surprised at all because of the individuals involved we're talking about," said Ellerbe, believing that WBO president Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel went out of his way to help Top Rank's Bob Arum, who promotes Bradley and Vargas and who is close to the WBO.

Mayweather has 14 days to file a written appeal with the WBO, but the decision is unlikely to be changed, even if he does appeal. Ellerbe said Mayweather has not decided yet if he plans to appeal.

"We have the best attorney in the game, John Hornewer, and we are fully aware of what our rights are," Ellerbe said. "Floyd will decide what he wants to do."

Mayweather has won 11 world titles in five weight classes, from 130 to 154 pounds, during his brilliant 19-year career. He plans to next fight Sept. 12 -- the opponent has not been announced -- to complete his six-fight contract with Showtime/CBS. The 38-year-old has said that he plans to retire after that.

#Verdict: ‘APC Has Won The Battle And Lost The War’ – President Buhari Says

NAN – President Muhammadu Buhari has said that all APC faithful must collectively come together to rise above the current crisis threatening to engulf the party.

Buhari made the call in Abuja on Friday at the first National Executive Council (NEC) emergency meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) after its victory at the polls.

He said party members should strive to win the war (National Assembly crisis) as they won the battle (general elections).

He said: "APC has won the battle and lost the war which is a paradox of democracy and we shall see how we shall manage it.

"How do we manage it? We move forward.

"I have already appealed to you through the chairman, the leadership of the party, through the governors, through our lawmakers and the APC must not disappoint its constituency, the nation.

"We have had to convince our individual constituencies that we are worthy of sacrifices they had made in staying awake days and nights, travelling all over the country and making sure the party emerged victorious.

"What subsequently happened is human and as human beings we are not perfect but let our collective actions prove that we’ve won the election, the battle, and we will eventually win the war," he said.

Buhari further urged the party members to honour the platform through which they won the elections and gave a background of how he contested his present position and lost three times.

"Whoever wants to run for elected office as a Nigerian must have a platform and that platform is the political parties hence the superiority of the party because that is our platform," the president said.

He told the story of the party from the beginning when other parties came together to form APC, how INEC rejected their initial merger, how the first convention was planned and who was instrumental at the initial stage.

"I am going through all these (stories) because not all of us here participated in this and for you to reflect and thank the leadership of the party at various stages for going through all these which wasn’t easy.

"But God in his infinite mercy has paid us by giving us success, let us not throw this success to the wind.

"Let us as members of APC no matter our personal differences, get together and meet the mandate given to us by this country.

"This is my personal appeal and, in the name of God, whatever your personal interest is and ambition, please keep it close to your heart and in your pocket.

"Let APC work and let this system work and let us have a government that will earn the respect of our constituencies.

"I appeal to you to please continue working together and please accept the superiority of the party….because I respect the superiority of the party," he said.

The president congratulated the APC Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, for leading the party to victory and acknowledged the presence of the president of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives.

Earlier, Odigie-Oyegun said it was unfortunate that the first NEC meeting was convened hurriedly but congratulated the members on the landslide victory at the polls.

"The main item on the agenda is the ratification of aspects of members of the Board of Trustees," he said.

He lauded the character of the president and his deputy, saying APC became easily believable because of their integrity.

He said that "(APC) governors have swollen from 14 to 22 and we are still counting."

NAN reports that Buhari arrived at the party secretariat at 11:04 am. and left at 12:40 pm.

The governors of Sokoto, Kebbi, Plateau, Imo, Bauchi and Lagos states were among dignitaries at the event.

Others were APC National Working Committee members, state chairmen, former governors, senators and zonal leaders.

AMVCA AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS

The prestigious Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) took place on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Eko Hotel Convention Centre.

The event which was transmitted live on Africa Magic stations via DSTV, saw Kunle Afolayan walk away with the biggest awards of the night thanks to his 'October 1' movie which won 9 awards! ‘October 1’ which had a total of 13 nominations won the awards for ‘Best movie’, ‘Best Director (Kunle Afolayan) and ‘Best Actress in a Drama’ (Kehinde Bankole).

OC Ukeje won the 'Best Actor' award while Kehinde Bankole was the recipient of the 'Best Actress' prize. Best supporting actor and actress went to Blossom Chukwujekwu and Linda Ejiofor respectively.Another big winner of the night was Rita Dominic and Mildred Okwo's 'The Meeting' which won the 'Best Movie (Comedy)' and spun awards for Femi Jacobs (Best Actor in Comedy) and Rita Dominic (Best Actress in Comedy).

There were music performances from The Mavin Crew, Diamond Platinumz and comedic theatrics from Basketmouth and Eddie Kadi.

Psquare always gets the last laugh in a bad way. The duo were slated to perform last- after the show had ended. This isn’t the first time this is happening that they would be performing while guests are taking their live. Sometimes it works for them, other times, maybe it isn’t such a good idea.

OC Ukeje

Check out the full list of winners below.

Best Movie: October 1 - Kunle Afolayan

Best Movie (Comedy): The Meeting

Best Movie (Drama): A place in the Stars - Steve Gukas

Best Actor in a Drama: OC Ukeje - Secret Room

Best Actress in a Drama: Kehinde Bankole - October 1

Best Supporting Actor: Blossom Chukwujekwu - Knocking on Heaven's Door

Best Supporting Actress: Linda Ejiofor - The Meeting

Best Actor in a Comedy: Femi Jacobs - The Meeting

Best Actress in a Comedy: Rita Dominic - The Meeting

Best Movie Director: Kunle Afolayan - October 1

Best Art Director (Movie/TV): Pat Nebo - October 1

Best Cinematographer (MOVIE/TV): Stanlee Ohikhuare - Verdict

Rita Dominic

Best Drama Writer (Movie/TV): Tunde Babalola - October 1


Best Comedy Writer (Movie/TV): Tunde Babalola - The Meeting

Best Costume Designer (Movie/TV): Deola Sagoe/Obijei Oru - October 1

Best Documentary: The Gift to the Nile -Yvonne Bassey

Best Lighting Designer: Lanre Omofaye - October 1

Best Indigenous Language - Hausa: Bincike - Hafizu Bello/Abubakar Bashir

Best Indigenous Language - Yoruba: Iya Alalake - Faithia  Balogun

Best Indigenous Language - Igbo: Onye Ozi (The Messenger) - Obi Emelonye



Best Indigenous Language - SWAHILI:
Veve - Srika Hemi Lakhani

FATHIA BALOGUN

Best Make-Up Artist: Sacred by Lola Maja:  October 1

Best New Media - Online: Hard Times - Imoh Umoren

Best Sound Editing: October 1 - Kulanen Ikyo

Best Video Editor: Victoria Akujobi - Reflections

Best Television Series: Shuga

Best Short Film: Oblivious - Kiki Omeili

New Era Award: Ayo Makun (AY) - 30 Days in Atlanta

Industry Merit Award: Amaka Igwe

We wish all the nominees and winners an eventful and successful 2015 in the industry. Kudos!!!

Happy New Year ISIS: 29 U.S. And Arab NYD Air Strikes Devastate Militants Across Iraq And Syria

On New Year’s Day, a total of 29 U.S-led air strikes reportedly devastated ISIS positions, mainly in Raqqa and Kobane in Syria, where Kurdish Peshmerga and YPG forces have been involved in street battles with ISIS militants for months, as well as in Iraq.  As reported by the Guardian today, the city of Dayr az Zawr, which has a population of more than half a million people, was also rocked by numerous strikes.

The town of Mosul in Iraq, which is the location of the strategically important Fallujah dam as well as the town of Sinjar, were also hit hard by a combination of U.S. and Arab jet fighter pilots, from the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS.

The International Business Times also reported today that, in total, 17 bombs were dropped over Syria and another 12 over Iraq, though the exact split between the target cities has not been revealed for military purposes.

It hasn’t exactly been a “Merry Christmas” for ISIS in Iraq and Syria — not that they celebrate Christmas anyway — having enjoyed over 100 air strikes since Christmas Day. The militant group is hurting, and hurting badly, as the West, and even Muslim states, step-up to the reality of the situation they are facing.

Not only have towns like Raqqa and Kobane suffered the wrath of the U.S Air Force, strikes have also hit Al Asad, Al Qaim, Baiji, Kirkuk, and Tal Afar in Iraq.

In a timely visit to troops in the Damascus district of Jobar last night, Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad went to deliver a New Year’s message. Syrian State TV showed Assad having dinner with soldiers and pro-government gunmen during the rare appearance.

Assad told his troops, “On New Year’s Eve families gather but you decided to be here to protect your country. I like to be with you on this occasion.”

The nostalgic and fatherly Assad visit came as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced that the death toll from the four-year civil war topped 76,000 in 2014 alone. Of the dead, an estimated 17,790 were civilians, including 3,501 children, making it the deadliest year of the civil war in Syria so far.

Obanikoro sues PDP, blasts George, Ogunlewe again

Musiliu Obanikoro

The immediate past Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has sued the Peoples Democratic Party before a Federal High Court in Abuja over the conduct of the Lagos State governorship primary which produced Mr. Jimi Agbaje as the winner.

Obanikoro said the move became necessary because the party failed to act on his petition in which he complained about the irregularities that trailed the primary.

The former minister told his supporters and journalists at his campaign office in Lagos on Friday that he could not understand how the number of votes (863) could exceed the number of accredited delegates (806).

He said the 48 hours timeline stipulated by the PDP Electoral Guideline to address the appeal had elapsed without a response from the party.

Obanikoro said in the light of the development, only the Independent National Electoral Commission and a court could compel the party to conduct fresh primary.

He said, “We must stand by the truth and the truth is that last Monday’s primary must be cancelled and re-conducted.

“We turned in our petition on Tuesday, thinking that on Thursday, the party would reply according to its guidelines but it has not responded as we speak.

“When I noticed that the party did not respond, we went to a Federal High Court and sued the party.

“I stand for a greater Lagos and anything that will derail that journey will be fought with every drop of my blood.”

According to him, it is unfortunate that the PDP leaders in Lagos State, Chief Bode George and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, used religion to advance the candidature of Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who won the primary.

He, however, described both George and Ogunlewe as the masterminds of the “fraudulent” primary.

Obanikoro said both leaders had never won elections at their polling units and wondered how they could help the PDP win next year’s general elections.

He said after his (Obanikoro’s) loyalists cleared the three senatorial districts at the senatorial primary on Sunday; George became jittery and hatched the plan to rig the governorship primary the following day.

He said Ogunlewe and the chairman of the primary committee, Senator Seidu Kumo, shared the same office when they were both at the Senate.

He said, “Chief Olabode George thinks that he could just bark and people like us would sit down but I think by now, he would have got the message and we will stand shoulder to shoulder.

“This is not about age because if you want to be respected, you must respect yourself.

“We told him at the beginning that if he wants to be the unifier and be an umpire, he has to be above board but he and Ogunlewe did not do that, they became the Director-General and Deputy Director-General of Agbaje Campaign Organisation.”

VP slot: APC considers Buhari’s list of three

Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd)

The All Progressives Congress is considering the list of three nominees by its presidential candidate for the 2015 elections, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) The party is to select one of the three names as the running mate of the general. A high ranking member of the party, who confided in Saturday PUNCH in Abuja on Friday, said the presidential candidate has been under pressure by power blocks within the party long before he emerged. The party member pleaded for anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media on the matter. He said the candidate and the party were both aware of the enormity of the task ahead and were determined not to leave anything to chance. The source said the candidate had already given notice to the party that he would submit three names of party loyalists he would like to work with. The source said, “In choosing the three names, he will consider three things: Religious balancing, votes or what we call electoral value and he will also consider the personality of the individual. “The governors elected on APC platform are insisting that it must come from among them, but Buhari had told them that he agrees but that the names he would submit to the party would contain at least the name of one of them but that the party would ultimately decide. “Those in the South-East want one of their own. Their argument is that doing so will strengthen the party in the region.” The source noted that the allure of block votes from the South-West is tilting the scales in favour of the geo-political zone which has been a strong base of opposition politics. This throws up the possibility of a candidate coming from the Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s political camp. A member of the Buhari camp said the General would have loved to work with Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, but “a muslim/ muslim ticket will be a hard sell considering the situation in the country today.” However, Prof. Yemi Osibajo appears the most likely choice because of his untainted public record and intellectual depth. Apart from being a member of Tinubu’s inner circle, Osibajo is a Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a close associate of the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Many Christians are likely to support this choice. Hailing from Ikene, the hometown of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo , is also seen as an added advantage. The three geo-political zones in the South namely: South-South, South-East and South-West were also said to be showing interest in the vice-presidential slot. But that the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the party would meet and take a decision on the matter. He dismissed comments on the social media that the party had picked a running mate. “We haven’t even met,” Mohammed said. The party also denied a report that it had picked the Rivers States Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, as Buhari’s running mate. Mohammed told one of our correspondents on the telephone on Friday that picking a vice-presidential candidate would require wide consultation, but said the party would announce the person next week. “What you are reading now is the handiwork of mischief makers. No one had been picked as Buhari’s running mate but we will pick and announce next week,” he said.

DJ LUMIX (Toh Badt Vol.3 )

As the festive season approaches, Dj Lumix drops another hot and sizzling mix, tagged DJ LUMIX (Toh Badt Vol.3 ) Listen and share your thoughts.