Notebook: Floyd-Zambidis off, updates on Tyson, Pacquiao events
Cordina's visa denied due to assault charge; Paro edges Crocker for welterweight title; Shields dropping to 160 to fight for unified belts; Lester Martinez set for next fight; Quick hits; Show & tell
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Floyd Mayweather’s six-round exhibition boxing match against retired championship kickboxer Mike Zambidis, which was scheduled for Saturday in Zambidis’ hometown of Athens, Greece — and the subject of litigation — was canceled on Thursday.
Promoter CSI, which has Hall of Fame five-division champion and former longtime pound-for-pound king Mayweather, 49, under contract for an exhibition bout against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and an official rematch with Manny Pacquiao, sued Mayweather on June 18 in the U.S. court in the Southern District of New York, accusing him of breach of contract.
One of CSI’s claims is that Mayweather’s participation in the bout with Zambidis was not permitted because it has his exclusive rights.
Unable to reach a settlement with Mayweather, CSI sought an emergency injunction in an effort to stop the fight and a temporary restraining order preventing Mayweather, who it has already advanced $4.65 million toward guarantees for the Tyson and Pacquiao events, from facing anyone until he honors his commitment for the bouts he has already agreed to.
The sides appeared before District Court Judge Vernon S. Broderick in a teleconference hearing on Wednesday, after which Broderick asked for some additional details and documents to be submitted before 12 p.m. ET on Thursday and then he planned to rule.
However, before a ruling was issued, Mayweather attorney Melissa Glass wrote in a letter to the court, a copy of which was obtained by Fight Freaks Unite, that Mayweather-Zambidis had been canceled.
