Controversial street-pop artist Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has explained why he walked out of the ring during his celebrity boxing rematch against Nollywood actor Charles Okocha, insisting he was unfairly attacked during the contest.
The “Zazoo Zeh” singer alleged that Okocha resorted to wrestling instead of boxing during the bout.
Hours after he was disqualified from the bout in the much-publicised contest held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the singer, via a video on his Instagram page, displayed a wound on his back and body, claiming he was bitten during the fight and alleging that multiple people attacked him.
While showing the marks on his body, Portable said, “They said he eats Molly. He didn’t see Molly anymore. So he ate my back.”
He also claimed Okocha bit him during the contest.
“Man, he bit me. I landed a heavy hit on him,” Portable said.
The singer maintained that he had dominated the fight before the incident, repeatedly insisting he landed more punches on his opponent.
“Normally, I beat him up. Man to man, one man is tougher than the other. I dealt him a giant blow,” he said.
Explaining his decision to leave the ring, Portable suggested he no longer wished to participate in such fights, saying his career was worth more than the prize money.
“He bit me, number one. He choked my neck. Camera it. That’s why I say I don’t fight again. I’m big! I’m bigger than the money! I’m a star!” he said.
He added that he had promised to deliver 10 blows and fulfilled that promise.
Turning to his followers, he said, “I wore a one-round cloth to the bout. I wanted to beat him in one round.”
Portable lost the celebrity boxing rematch against Okocha by disqualification on Friday after walking out of the ring before the end of the opening round.
The bout, tagged “Unfinished Business,” was organised as a rematch of their controversial first encounter, which Okocha had claimed was unfairly awarded in Portable’s favour.
Portable appeared to have the upper hand before the contest descended into a wrestling-like scuffle, with the referee struggling to separate both fighters.
The bell eventually rang to end the round, while security personnel and bodyguards intervened to restore order.
Speaking in the video, the singer said the actor’s biting him caused him to clinch with Okocha.
Although Portable later returned to the ring, officials disqualified him, handing victory to Okocha.
Before the fight, Portable had told reporters, “I am not happy, but I want God to make me happy and my family.”
The defeat marked a reversal of fortunes for the singer, who won their first meeting and had boasted during the final weigh-in that he remained the better fighter.
Packaged by Oludotun Ajibola
