It was a night of fireworks and fury as Nigerian street-pop sensation Habeeb Badmus, popularly known as Portable, emerged victorious in a celebrity boxing match against Nollywood star Charles Okocha on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. The fight, which was organized by Heritage Boxing Entertainment, took place at the scenic Landmark Beach in Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The match started past 1 am, but the fans who stayed up late were not disappointed by the action-packed show. Portable and Okocha, who had been embroiled in a bitter online feud over an alleged N40m scam, finally settled their differences with their fists in the ring. The two celebrities exchanged blows and words, as they tried to prove their supremacy and claim the belt.
Portable, who is known for his catchy songs and his signature dance moves, showed that he was not just a musical talent, but also a formidable fighter. He unleashed a barrage of punches on Okocha, who is famous for his comic roles and his viral catchphrase “I deserve some accolades”. Okocha, however, did not back down. He fought back with his own jabs and hooks, as well as his witty remarks and antics.
The fight lasted for four rounds, with each round lasting for 10 minutes. The judges scored the fight based on the number of hits, the quality of hits, and the overall performance of the fighters. After the fourth round, the referee announced the winner by a unanimous decision: Portable!
“I dedicate this belt to my late father, who always believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. He wanted to see me become a champion, and today I have made him proud. This is for you, daddy. I love you and I miss you,” Portable said, holding back tears.
Portable also extended a hand of friendship to Okocha, saying he had no hard feelings towards him and that the fight was just for entertainment and charity. He said he respected Okocha as an actor and a person, and that he hoped they could work together in the future.
“Okocha is a great actor and a great person. He is very funny and very talented. I have no beef with him. We just did this for fun and for charity. We are both winners in our own ways. I hope we can collaborate on some projects in the future. Maybe a song or a movie. Who knows?” Portable said, smiling.
Okocha, on the other hand, was gracious in defeat. He congratulated Portable and hugged him and also thanked his fans, his hypeman, and his friends for their love and support. He said he enjoyed the fight and that he learned a lot from it, and he was proud of himself for stepping out of his comfort zone and trying something new.
“Portable is a great singer and a great fighter. He is very strong and very fast. I congratulate him on his win. He deserves it Also thank my fans, my hypeman, and my friends for being with me. I had fun and I learned a lot. I am proud of myself for doing this. It was a new experience for me. I’m not a boxer, but I am a fighter. I fight for my dreams and my goals. I deserve some accolades,” Okocha said, laughing.
The celebrity boxing match was a huge success, as it generated a lot of buzz and excitement among Nigerians. It also raised money for charity as part of the proceeds from the ticket sales and the pay-per-view subscriptions were donated to various causes. The organizers of the event said they were happy with the outcome and that they hoped to host more celebrity boxing matches in the future.
