A highly anticipated celebrity boxing rematch between street-pop star Portable and actor Charles Okocha ended in dramatic fashion after Portable abandoned the bout in the opening round, leading officials to disqualify him and award Okocha the victory.
The much-hyped rematch between Nigerian entertainer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, and actor Charles Okocha has ended in controversy after Portable walked out of the ring before the opening round was completed.
The bout, tagged “Unfinished Business,” took place on Friday at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Portable was subsequently disqualified, handing Okocha victory in a contest that had promised to settle the lingering controversy surrounding their first celebrity boxing encounter.
Fight Descends Into Chaos
Portable appeared to have started strongly, but the contest quickly became chaotic as both entertainers engaged in a wrestling-style struggle rather than maintaining conventional boxing exchanges.
The referee repeatedly attempted to separate the pair before security personnel and members of their entourages intervened to restore order.
The bell eventually sounded to end the opening round, but the drama was far from over.
Portable Walks Out
As officials prepared to restart the contest, Portable unexpectedly left the ring.
The walkout stunned spectators and drew boos from sections of the crowd, with fans having gathered for the highly publicised rematch.
Although Portable was later persuaded to return, officials ultimately disqualified him, officially declaring Charles Okocha the winner.
Okocha Gets His Revenge
The rematch was organised after Okocha disputed the result of the pair’s first encounter, which Portable won.
Okocha had repeatedly maintained that the earlier result was unfair and pushed for another opportunity to settle the score.
Friday’s contest was therefore billed as the final chapter in their celebrity boxing rivalry.
Instead of a decisive knockout or judges’ verdict, Okocha secured victory through Portable’s disqualification.
Portable Explains Why He Left Ring
Following the fight, Portable claimed he had been unfairly attacked during the contest.
In a video shared after the bout, the singer alleged that Okocha bit him and also accused him of using wrestling tactics during the encounter. Portable displayed what he described as injuries on his back and body while explaining his decision to leave the ring.
Portable also insisted that he had been in control of the fight before the confrontation escalated.
Portable Apologises After Controversial Exit
The singer later apologised to the organisers, fans and others affected by the abrupt ending of the bout.
His management expressed regret over the incident following the dramatic conclusion to what had been one of Nigeria’s most anticipated celebrity sporting events.
For Okocha, however, the result represents a measure of redemption after months of controversy surrounding the first encounter.