Controversial street-hop singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, has been in full celebration mode following his victory over rival Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, in their much-talked-about celebrity boxing match on Saturday. Meanwhile, Speed Darlington has claimed that his loss was due to the alleged use of “juju” (charms) by Portable.
The match, part of the “Chaos In The Ring” event sanctioned by the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, took place at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos. After winning via technical knockout in the second round, Portable took to Instagram with a triumphant post: “Champion forever. I believe in (those) who believe in me. Na God dey run am. Orilomo.” He followed it up later with another celebratory story: “Joy full my body, money don land.”
The bout ended abruptly when Speed Darlington failed to rise after the first round. In a video posted on X, he claimed his shoulder was dislocated—not from fatigue, but from something more mysterious. “I no know Wetin happen whether na juju wey Portable carry come, I never tire, my shoulder just dislocated,” he said in pidgin. Switching to English, he added, “The ambulance on ground fixed it, but I was told not to continue or I might need surgery. The painful part is Portable will now go and lavish the money. It’s painful—I should’ve done my own juju.”
This match was the result of a fiery rivalry between the two artists, which reached a boiling point during Friday’s tense weigh-in, where they had to be separated by security. Their verbal jabs continued in the ring’s build-up, with Portable declaring, “I’m a street fighter. They paid me to beat you. You are a mosquito—mosquito no fit beat lion.” Speed Darlington clapped back with his own threat: “I’ll bring the coffin and bury you in it.”
Their feud reportedly began after Speed Darlington offered Portable ₦500,000 to perform at an event—an offer the “Zazuu” crooner found disrespectful.
Saturday’s “Chaos In The Ring” event featured several other thrilling matchups. Idowu Rasheed retained his UBO All African Light-Heavyweight title, while Ezra Arenyeka secured a unanimous decision win in his Cruiserweight bout. Other highlights included a draw between Stephen Kadima and Alaoma Tyison, and Ahmed Lawal’s three-knockdown win over Uganda’s Usero Henry in the Lightweight division.
Lekan Muibi delivered the night’s first knockout against Marciano Commey, and Taiwo Rasheed took a decision victory over Sunday Abudu. In the women’s division, the UK’s Charley Brown beat Benin’s Sarah Ahouandjinou by unanimous decision.
This marks another win in Portable’s growing boxing record, following his December 2023 victory over Nollywood star Charles Okocha.
