Portable Regrets Chaotic Boxing Rematch With Charles Okocha
Nigerian street-pop star Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, dramatically walked away from his celebrity boxing rematch against actor Charles Okocha after a chaotic opening round in Lagos.
The highly anticipated bout, which was expected to settle the rivalry between the two entertainers, ended in controversy after Portable stepped away from the contest following the first round.
In a statement issued by his management, Zeh Nation/Dr Zeh, the singer’s team apologised to the organisers, Balmoral Group, the event team, fans, friends and family who turned out to support him.
The management acknowledged the disappointment surrounding Portable’s decision to leave the fight after the opening round while appealing to the public to respect his decision and perspective.
“We understand the disappointment caused by the outcome of the fight and by Portable’s decision to step away after the first round,” the statement said.
The management also accepted responsibility for the disappointment caused by the incident and expressed gratitude to Portable’s supporters for their continued loyalty.
The statement further praised Balmoral Group and everyone involved in staging the celebrity boxing event, while apologising for any inconvenience caused by the unexpected outcome.
Portable’s team said it had taken note of the feedback from the event and would use the experience as a learning opportunity.
“We have taken note of the feedback, and we are committed to learning from this experience. We promise to come back stronger and do better next time,” the statement added.
The development came after a dramatic opening round in which the rematch descended into chaos, with tensions between Portable and Okocha spilling beyond normal boxing action.
The statement concluded with the singer’s management thanking fans for their continued support, understanding and belief in Portable.
The celebrity boxing rematch had generated significant interest among entertainment and sports fans in Lagos, but Portable’s early exit ensured that the event ended with controversy rather than the expected conclusion inside the ring.
