The Alabama, United States-born retired pugilist believes he is of African descent.
He visited the historic town of Badagry on the invitation of a former Senior Special Adviser to the Badagry Local Government, Mr. Yomi Ajose, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Holyfield, who visited the traditional ruler of the town, Wheno Aholu Meno Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry, said that he was visiting to trace his African roots.
“I am happy to see His Royal Majesty, the Akran of Badagry and to also reconnect and re-unite with my ancestral land,” he said.
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| African slaves on their way to America in the18th century |
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| African slaves, Stuffed together like animals in specially built slaves ships |
Holyfield is one of the offspring of the Blacks in the Diaspora who were taken into slavery during the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade in the 18th century.
Welcoming him, the Akran said that he was happy to host to the former world boxing champion.
“I am happy to have you in Badagry and I want to tell you that you have a lot of opportunities to invest in Badagry so as to promote tourism,” he said.
NAN reports that Holyfield went on a boat cruise along Badagry waterways to see areas of possible investment.
He was in the company of Alfred Dickson, an associate of Marlon Jackson, who has been trying to invest in Gberefun town where the ‘Point of No Return’ is located.
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| Foot path to "Point of no return" Once the Nigerian slaves got to this point, no going back |
The ‘Point of No Return’ is the gate from where slaves were shipped abroad during the days of slavery.
Other personalities who were at the Akran’s palace to receive were Ijinla Afolabi, the President and Founder of Centre for Heritage Preservation and the Proprietor of 02 Bar, Marina, Olaide Osoba.
Holyfield was born on October 19, 1962, won bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics before going professional. In 1990, he became Heavyweight Champion of the World when he defeated James ‘Buster’ Douglas. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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