Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Street-hop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has issued a public apology to fans, organisers, and supporters after abruptly walking out of his highly anticipated celebrity boxing rematch against Nollywood actor Charles Okocha, a decision that led to his disqualification and handed victory to his opponent. The apology came hours after the Friday night bout at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos ended in anti-climax, with Portable declining to continue beyond the opening round, leaving spectators at the venue disappointed and sparking widespread reactions across social media.
The rematch, tagged “Unfinished Business,” was the sequel to their first celebrity boxing encounter in December 2023, which Portable won by unanimous decision. Okocha had invoked a rematch clause following that defeat, and both entertainers spent weeks trading verbal attacks on social media, raising expectations that the rivalry would be settled decisively inside the ring. Portable also entered the bout seeking to bounce back from his first celebrity boxing defeat earlier in 2026 to content creator Carter Efe, while Okocha was determined to avenge his previous loss. However, the contest descended into chaos when Portable walked out of the ring before the opening round officially ended. Although he later returned, officials disqualified him, declaring Okocha the winner.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 1, 2026, by Portable's management, Zeh Nation/Dr Zeh, the singer expressed regret over the abrupt end to the highly anticipated bout and apologised to everyone affected by the incident. “We sincerely apologise to the organisers, Balmoral Group, the entire event team, our fans, friends, family, and everyone who came out to support Portable at tonight's celebrity boxing event,” the statement read. The management acknowledged the disappointment caused by Portable's decision to leave the contest after the opening round but appealed to Nigerians to respect his choice. “We understand the disappointment caused by the outcome of the fight and by Portable's decision to step away after the first round. While emotions can run high in moments like these, we respectfully ask everyone to respect his decision and perspective,” the statement added.
The management accepted full responsibility for the controversy, stating: “On behalf of Portable's management, we take full responsibility for the disappointment this may have caused. We remain grateful for the unwavering love and support shown to him throughout this journey.” It also commended Balmoral Group for organising the event despite its dramatic conclusion, saying: “We appreciate Balmoral Group and everyone involved for putting together a great event, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.” The statement assured fans that lessons had been learnt and promised a better outing in future contests. “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,” it said.
Earlier on Saturday, Portable took to his Instagram page to explain why he walked out of the ring, alleging that Okocha abandoned boxing for wrestling and even bit him during the fight. Displaying what he claimed were bite marks and injuries on his back and body, the singer said: “He bit me. I landed a heavy hit on him.” He alleged that several people also attacked him during the melee and insisted that he was in control of the fight before the situation escalated into a physical struggle. “Normally, I beat him up. Man to man, one man is tougher than another. I dealt him a huge blow,” he said, insisting he had landed more punches than his opponent. Explaining why he exited the ring, Portable said he no longer wanted to risk his career over celebrity boxing, arguing that his status outweighed the prize money. “He bit me, number one. He choked my neck. That's why I say I don't fight again. I'm big! I'm bigger than the money! I'm a star!” he declared.
The defeat marked Portable's second consecutive loss in three months, having lost to Carter Efe on May 2, 2026. Despite the controversy, Portable's management has promised to learn from the experience and return stronger, while fans and critics continue to debate the dramatic end to a bout that was meant to settle one of Nigeria's most talked-about celebrity rivalries. The incident has once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of celebrity boxing, where entertainment often takes precedence over athletic discipline, and where the line between sport and spectacle can become dangerously blurred.
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