Controversial street-pop artiste Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, and his celebrity boxing rival, Charles Okocha, renewed their rivalry in a celebrity boxing rematch on July 31 after their press conference for Chaos in the Ring 4 descended into chaos on Tuesday at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton, Ikeja, Lagos.
Balmoral Group Promotions CEO Ezekiel Adamu confirmed the rematch, tagged “Unfinished Business,” had been activated at Okocha’s request following their first encounter, which Portable won by unanimous decision.
“They fought before. Charles wants a rematch. He activated a rematch clause. So, we expected that, and we will make it happen,” Adamu said.
True to character, Portable took over the stage on arrival and issued a fresh threat to his opponent.
“You that I have beaten before, I will break your bones. Fight is coming,” he said.
Okocha was quick to respond, dismissing their first meeting and promising a different outcome this time.
“Let me tell you something: I will kill you in the ring. I am fearless. We will see who the man is on the 31st of July. Everyone knows the first one was not a real fight, but this time it is the real deal. And he will not survive two rounds if he finds a way to escape me in the first round,” he said.
The exchange between the pair soon turned physical. A soda thrown in the heat of the moment triggered an exchange of fists and flying chairs, with Portable and Okocha at the centre of the melee before security separated all parties after several tense minutes.
The rematch comes after Portable suffered his first defeat in celebrity boxing.
At Chaos in the Ring 4, held at the Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, the singer lost to streamer Carter Efe via a unanimous 30-27 decision after three rounds, ending his unbeaten record and costing him his celebrity boxing title.
Before the defeat, Portable had established himself as one of the leading figures in Nigeria’s celebrity boxing scene, recording victories over Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington to claim two championship belts.
The rivalry between Portable and Okocha dates back to 2023, when the singer accused the actor of defrauding him of about N40 million in a business deal, sparking a feud that eventually spilt over into the boxing ring.
The dispute moved from social media to the ring at Landmark Beach, Victoria Island.
Portable emerged victorious in their first meeting after four rounds, dominating the opening round with aggressive attacks before Okocha responded strongly in the second.
Both fighters appeared visibly fatigued by the fourth round and were unable to continue, with Portable eventually declared the winner and awarded the championship belt.
Okocha, however, disputed the result and has repeatedly called for a rematch, insisting the outcome did not accurately reflect the contest.
The July 31 showdown presents Okocha with another opportunity to avenge the defeat, while Portable will be aiming to bounce back from his recent loss to Carter Efe and re-establish his reputation in celebrity boxing.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
