Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, and his rival, Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, engaged in fierce verbal exchanges and promised a brutal showdown at the ‘Chaos In The Ring’ boxing event scheduled for Friday (today) at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos.
All other boxers had their weigh-ins without much drama, except some taunts and shoves until the celebrities’ turns came. The two musicians engaged in a mini-tussle during their weigh-ins and had to be separated by bouncers, after which Portable showed off his boxing skills with some shadow boxing.
“You better say you’re not fighting again. I just came out of prison, I’m a former prisoner, and they’ve cut my hair. It’s all the bad side of my life that they cut away. I have already won this fight,” Portable taunted his opponent.
The “Zazuu” crooner, who recently gained freedom after Fuji star Saheed Osupa withdrew a cyber stalking case against him, boasted about his fighting prowess.
“I am a street fighter, and they (Balmoral) paid me money to beat you, so I will beat you. I am sorry in advance. If you think it is because I just left prison, forget that, I will beat you. You are a mosquito, and a mosquito can’t beat a lion,” he said.
This comes weeks after he had previously stated he wanted to fight former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua for N100m instead of Speed Darlington, whom he considered an “unworthy opponent.”
Speed Darlington responded with equal ferocity, saying, “You can’t beat me, let’s go now! Nothing can happen. It is here that they will wipe your blood, just show up tomorrow. I will take your belt home with me.
“I will bring the coffin for you and bury you in it after I beat you. You can’t compare Charles to me, he is a father and he is old, no worry.”
The longstanding animosity between the two artistes reportedly escalated when Speed Darlington offered Portable N500,000 to perform at his event – an offer that the latter considered insulting.
Nigerian Boxing Board of Control Chairman, Rafiu Ladipo, who was present at the weigh-in, emphasised the importance of proper medical procedures before professional boxing matches.
Ladipo mentioned this in reference to the death of boxer Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju in Ghana last month who the NBBofC has stated did not undergo medicals in Accra.
“There are two doctors here doing the medicals for all these boxers before the fight tomorrow. This is what they should have done in Ghana, so we are saying it again that 24 hours before every professional boxing fight, all boxers should have medicals and weigh-in,” Ladipo stated.
Friday’s ‘Chaos In The Ring’ event, organised by Game Rush and Balmoral Promotions, follows the success of their previous tournament in December 2024 and the premier launch of Friday Fight Night in February 2025. The boxing extravaganza will feature elite fighters from six countries, including Ghana, Tanzania, Egypt, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.
Nigerian boxing sensation Basit “Jokerboy” Adebayo will also fight for the World Boxing Organization Youth International lightweight title against Tanzanian challenger Suleiman Sheha on the night.
Portable had previously defeated Nollywood actor Charles Okocha in a similar celebrity boxing match in December 2023, where he clinched victory after four rounds at Landmark Beach in Victoria Island, Lagos State. The pair had settled their scores with their fists after Portable alleged contractual issues involving an alleged N40m rip-off.
With both Portable and Speed Darlington having undergone their medicals and weigh-ins at the Balmoral Event Centre, boxing enthusiasts are in for what promises to be an explosive celebrity encounter in the ring.
