Nollywood actor Charles Okocha and street-pop singer Portable are set to face off today at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. This fight is the much-anticipated rematch of their first clash, which Okocha claims was unfairly judged in Portable's favour.
With several face-offs leading up to this match, including a final weigh-in this week, both fighters exchanged heated words. Tempers have flared as they prepare for the bout.
“I will be going against Portable, and it is going to be chaos. I promise, kill or be killed in that fight. It is not by noise and posturing. We will see in the ring,” Okocha said.
He mentioned that he trained not just for Portable. “I do not need to train to meet Portable, but I went to train to prepare for some fights ahead of me as well because Portable is removable.”
Portable, known for his dramatic style, did not hold back. He knocked over a table while taunting Okocha. He repeated his earlier boasts from past fights. “You that I have beaten before, I will break your bones. Fight is coming,” Portable said. He insists he is the better fighter and will prove it again in the ring.
Organisers say the lead-up to this fight has generated over two billion video views and 4.2 billion digital impressions from previous events. This has helped to raise the profile of Nigerian boxing.
Dr Ezekiel Adamu, the event promoter, calls it unfinished business between Okocha and Portable. He noted that Okocha activated his rematch clause after feeling he did not get a fair chance before, and Portable accepted the challenge.
Adamu added that the event would also include a bout between influencers Mr Real and Idowest. They have long argued about who owns the term “Legbègbe” on social media. There will also be a professional fight between Yusuf Adeniji and Rilwan Lawal.
Adeniji, who has trained for over three months, warned Lawal to prepare for a tough night. Lawal dismissed the warning and claims he will win.
Adamu announced that EV Automobiles is giving away two brand-new electric cars as prizes for the winners of the Portable-Okocha and Mr Real-Idowest fights. Bet9ja is one of the main sponsors of the event, along with EV Automobiles.
The card will also feature professional bouts between Shiloh Defreitas and Eric Quarms, Basit Adebayo and Said Chino, and Samuel Antwi and Suleiman Jafaru.
Adamu explained that this promotion is more than just boxing. Okocha trained in London with heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma and world champion Daniel Dubois, both of Nigerian descent, along with fighters like Anthony Joshua and Lawrence Okolie.
“What we are doing is proper global storytelling. We are building champions here in Nigeria and Africa that belong to Africa,” Adamu said. Fighters will walk to the ring alongside musicians like Reminisce and Ice Prince, and all fighters and crew will wear native attire.
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