The street-pop singer walks out of the ring during the opening round, handing Nollywood actor Charles Okocha victory in their Lagos celebrity boxing rematch
Street-pop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, lost his celebrity boxing rematch against Nollywood actor Charles Okocha by disqualification on Friday after walking out of the ring during the opening round at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
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The highly anticipated Portable boxing rematch, tagged “Unfinished Business”, was staged to settle the controversy surrounding their first encounter, which Okocha had repeatedly argued was unfairly awarded in Portable’s favour.
The contest initially appeared to be going in Portable’s direction, with the singer showing confidence as the two entertainers exchanged blows inside the ring.
The atmosphere, however, quickly became tense when the bout descended into a wrestling-like scuffle, forcing the referee to intervene as both fighters struggled with each other.
The bell eventually sounded to signal the end of the round, while security personnel and members of the fighters’ entourages moved in to restore order and prevent the confrontation from escalating further.
Portable then left the ring before officials could resume the contest, prompting boos from spectators who had gathered for the dramatic clash.
Some fans in the VIP section also expressed their disappointment as the singer walked away from the action.
Although Portable was later persuaded to return, officials ultimately disqualified him, awarding Okocha the victory in a dramatic conclusion to the event.
The outcome marked a striking reversal from the first meeting between the two entertainers, when Portable emerged victorious and Okocha questioned the decision.
Portable had also entered Friday’s contest with considerable confidence. During the final weigh-in, the singer maintained that he was still the superior fighter, setting the stage for what was expected to be a fiercely contested rematch.
However, the anticipated showdown ended prematurely, with the disqualification overshadowing the sporting contest and leaving Okocha to celebrate a memorable victory.
Speaking backstage before the fight while holding his son, Portable had expressed a more reflective mood despite the excitement surrounding the event.
“I am not happy, but I want God to make me happy and my family,” he said.
The dramatic bout adds another chapter to the colourful rivalry between the singer and the actor, whose first meeting generated considerable attention among fans of Nigerian entertainment.
For Okocha, the result provides vindication after his earlier objections to the first fight’s outcome.
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For Portable, the defeat represents a disappointing end to a night in which expectations had been high following his confident build-up to the contest.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
