The Nigerian music scene witnessed a dramatic showdown on Saturday as controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, emerged victorious in a celebrity boxing match against his rival, Darlington Okoye, also known as Speed Darlington. The highly anticipated “Chaos In The Ring” event, sanctioned by the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control and held at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos, culminated in a technical knockout victory for Portable in the second round. Speed Darlington’s refusal to continue the bout after the first round brought an abrupt end to the clash, sparking controversy and accusations.
Following his victory, Portable took to social media to celebrate his triumph, proclaiming himself a champion and attributing his success to divine intervention. His posts exuded an air of jubilance, reflecting the culmination of weeks of intense rivalry and verbal sparring. However, the aftermath of the match was marred by Speed Darlington’s allegations of foul play. In a video posted online, he claimed that his shoulder had dislocated mysteriously during the fight, despite not feeling significantly fatigued. He insinuated that Portable’s alleged use of “juju,” or traditional charms, might have been responsible for his sudden incapacitation. He lamented the prize money now in Portable’s hands, suggesting that had he won, he would have likely utilized similar mystical tactics.
The much-publicized boxing match served as the climax of a simmering feud between the two musicians. Their animosity had escalated in the weeks leading up to the event, with a physical altercation requiring security intervention during their weigh-in on Friday. Portable, known for his streetwise persona, had previously taunted Speed Darlington, referring to himself as a lion battling a mosquito. Speed Darlington, in turn, had vowed to defeat Portable and metaphorically bury him in a coffin. Their pre-fight exchanges reflected the deep-seated animosity fueling their rivalry.
The roots of their conflict reportedly stemmed from a perceived insult regarding a performance fee. Speed Darlington had allegedly offered Portable ₦500,000 to perform at an event, a sum that Portable deemed disrespectful. This incident ignited a public exchange of insults and threats, culminating in the decision to settle their differences in the boxing ring. The celebrity boxing match provided a dramatic platform for them to resolve their ongoing feud, albeit in a controversial manner.
Beyond the headline-grabbing celebrity bout, the “Chaos In The Ring” event, organized by Game Rush and Balmoral Promotions, featured a full card of boxing matches showcasing both local and international talent. In the other bouts, Idowu Rasheed successfully defended his UBO All African Light-Heavyweight title against Ahmed Swedy after the latter’s corner threw in the towel in the third round. Cruiserweight Ezra Arenyeka triumphed over Muritador Monyasahu via unanimous decision after eight rounds of intense boxing. The event also featured a draw between Stephen Kadima and Alaoma Tyison in their Cruiserweight clash, demonstrating the competitive spirit of the participants.
Nigerian boxer Ahmed Lawal dominated his Lightweight contest against Ugandan Usero Henry, scoring three knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision victory. Lekan Muibi delivered a swift and decisive first-round knockout against Marciano Commey, marking the first knockout of the night. Taiwo Rasheed secured a unanimous decision win over Sunday Abudu in their Heavyweight bout. In the sole women’s match of the event, UK’s Charley Brown defeated Sarah Ahouandjinou of Benin Republic by unanimous decision. The diverse range of matches ensured a captivating evening of boxing entertainment for the attendees.
