It was a night of drama, excitement and revenge as Nigerian street-pop artist Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, aka Portable, defeated Nollywood actor Charles Okocha in a celebrity novelty boxing match on Wednesday. The fight, which was organized by Heritage Boxing Entertainment, held at Landmark Beach in Victoria Island, Lagos State, and attracted a large crowd of fans, celebrities and media.
The match was a culmination of a long-standing feud between the two stars, who had been trading insults and accusations on social media over an alleged N40m rip-off. Portable had claimed that Okocha had cheated him out of the money, which was supposed to be paid for a collaboration they did together, and only sent him a small fraction of the agreed amount.
Okocha had denied the allegations, saying that Portable was lying and trying to tarnish his reputation. The two had agreed to settle their differences in the ring, with the winner taking home the disputed N40m and a championship belt. The fight started after 1am and lasted for four rounds, each lasting 10 minutes.
In the first round, Portable came out strong and confident, wearing a blue outfit that matched his stage name. He dominated the ring and landed several jabs to the body of Okocha, who was wearing a red outfit that contrasted with his opponent’s. Okocha seemed to be on the defensive, trying to avoid Portable’s punches and waiting for an opening.
In the second round, Okocha bounced back and showed his skills and experience as an actor and a dancer. He moved around the ring with agility and grace, dodging Portable’s attacks and throwing his own punches. He managed to knock down Portable with a powerful jab, and the referee had to intervene and count. Portable got up and continued the fight, but Okocha had gained the upper hand and the crowd’s support,
In the third round, Portable tried to regain his momentum and his fans’ cheers. He ran around the ring, looking for an opportunity to strike back at Okocha, who was following him closely. Portable managed to land some blows on Okocha, who also returned the favor. The round ended with both fighters exchanging punches and words, as the tension and the heat rose. In the fourth and final round, both fighters were exhausted, but determined to win.
Portable surprised Okocha with some direct punches that caught him off guard and made him stagger. Okocha tried to recover and fight back, but Portable was relentless and kept attacking. The round ended with both fighters still standing, but visibly tired and bruised. The referee called for a fifth round to decide the winner, but both fighters declined to continue, saying they had done enough.
The judges then announced their decision, based on the points scored in each round. They declared Portable the winner by a unanimous decision, and awarded him the N40m and the belt. Portable celebrated his victory by raising his hands and thanking his fans, while Okocha congratulated him and hugged him.The two fighters then buried their hatchet and posed for pictures together, saying they had resolved their issues and were now friends.
The celebrity boxing match was a historic event for the Nigerian entertainment industry, as it was the first of its kind to feature two popular stars from different fields. It also generated a lot of buzz and attention, both online and offline, as fans and media followed the build-up and the outcome of the fight.
The match was also a showcase of the growing popularity and influence of street-pop music in Nigeria, as Portable represented the genre that has been dominating the airwaves and the streets. Portable, who is known for his catchy and humorous songs, such as “Zazu”, “Ogbeni Calm Down” and “Omo No Salary”, has a loyal fan base that cuts across different classes and regions. He has also collaborated with other big names in the industry, such as Naira Marley, Zlatan and Davido.
Okocha, on the other hand, is one of the most versatile and prolific actors in Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry. He has starred in over 200 movies, playing different roles and genres, from comedy to action to drama. He is also known for his viral videos and skits on social media, where he goes by the nickname “Igwe 2pac”.
He has over 3 million followers on Instagram, where he posts his funny and catchy slogans, such as “Amoshine”, “Accolades” and “Nunu”. The match was also a testament to the growing interest and involvement of celebrities in sports, especially boxing, which has seen a resurgence in recent years. The match was also a boost for the Nigerian boxing scene, which has been struggling to produce and promote local talents and events. The match was sponsored by Heritage Boxing Entertainment, a new organization that aims to revive and develop boxing in Nigeria.