Phyna marks BBNaija win anniversary after boxing success

Big Brother Naija winner, Phyna, has celebrated four years since her reality TV win. She did this after making history as the winner of Nigeria’s first female celebrity boxing match.

Phyna's real name is Ijeoma Otabor. She won the seventh season of Big Brother Naija, Level Up, on October 2, 2022. Four years later, she marked the anniversary by knocking out Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing.

In a post shared on Friday, Phyna reflected on these two big moments. She wrote, “October 2nd will forever be a special date in my life.

“Today marks the anniversary of the day I won BBN, and now, years later, I’m celebrating another historic victory becoming the first female boxer to step into this ring and win this fight.”

Phyna's win took place at Balmoral Promotions’ Chaos in the Ring event. This happened at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday.

The former reality star mentioned that moving from reality TV to boxing was about challenging herself and breaking boundaries. She said, “From reality TV to the boxing ring, I’ve always been willing to challenge myself, break barriers, and prove that there is so much more to Phyna than what people see.”

“This one is for every woman who has ever been told she couldn’t. We can. We will. And we absolutely should.”

Phyna thanked Balmoral Promotions and Bet9ja for the chance. She described October 2 as “a date of victory, courage and new beginnings.”

She also won ₦50m from the boxing match. Phyna said she plans to continue in professional boxing. Her win over Nkechi could lead to a longer career in the sport.

After the match, Phyna mentioned Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia as her next potential opponent. She accused Etinosa of bothering her with direct messages.

“I came in, and I kept my cool and did the thing. Now I would like to fight Etinosa. I think it is time I teach her a lesson,” Phyna said after the fight.

Etinosa, who watched from the ringside, accepted the challenge. She said, “I have been advising you to carry the Edo name with pride. We do not run from any fight. I accept the challenge fully.”

Phyna’s win happened on the same night when skit maker Carter Efe defeated musician Speed Darlington by technical knockout in their four-round match.