Street-pop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was disqualified during his celebrity boxing rematch against Nollywood actor Charles Okocha after walking out of the ring before the end of the opening round on Friday.
The bout, tagged “Unfinished Business,” took place at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The rematch followed their controversial first meeting, which Okocha claimed was wrongly awarded in Portable’s favour.
Portable appeared to be in control early in the contest before the fight degenerated into a wrestling-style scuffle, forcing the referee to struggle to separate both fighters.
The opening round ended after the bell rang, while security personnel and bodyguards stepped in to restore order.
As officials prepared to restart the contest, Portable walked out of the ring, drawing boos from spectators, including fans in the VIP section.
Although organisers persuaded him to return, officials ruled that he had abandoned the fight and disqualified him, awarding victory to Okocha.
Before the bout, Portable, speaking backstage while holding his son, said:
“I am not happy, but I want God to make me happy and my family.”
The loss reverses the outcome of their first encounter, which Portable won. Ahead of the rematch, the singer had expressed confidence during the final weigh-in that he remained the superior fighter.
Author
