Tensions ran high as Nigerian musicians Habeeb Okikiola, known as Portable, and Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, exchanged fiery insults during their weigh-in for the ‘Chaos In The Ring’ boxing event, set to take place at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos on Friday. The two controversial figures, who have been at odds for some time, engaged in a verbal altercation that quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, requiring bouncers to separate them.
While the other boxers at the event had their weigh-ins without incident, the spotlight was firmly on the two musicians. The verbal sparring reached a boiling point when Portable and Speed Darlington clashed, with each promising a brutal showdown in the ring. Portable, the “Zazuu” hitmaker, fired the first shots, taunting his opponent about his recent release from prison and boasting about his fighting skills.
“I just came out of prison, I’m a former prisoner, and they’ve cut my hair. It’s all the bad side of my life that they cut away. I have already won this fight,” Portable declared confidently, setting the stage for a fierce encounter. He continued to hype up his street fighting abilities, telling his rival, “I am a street fighter, and they paid me money to beat you, so I will beat you. You are a mosquito, and a mosquito can’t beat a lion.”
The clash between the two has been brewing for weeks, following Portable’s earlier comments where he expressed a desire to fight former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua for N100 million, instead of facing Speed Darlington, whom he deemed an “unworthy opponent.” Speed Darlington, however, was quick to respond in kind, declaring, “You can’t beat me, let’s go now! Nothing can happen. I will take your belt home with me. I’ll bring the coffin for you and bury you in it after I beat you.”
Their animosity reportedly deepened after Speed Darlington offered Portable N500,000 to perform at an event, a gesture Portable found insulting, further fueling the fire between the two.
Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBC) Chairman, Rafiu Ladipo, who was present at the weigh-in, took the opportunity to remind all boxers about the importance of undergoing proper medical checks before stepping into the ring. He referenced the recent tragedy in Ghana, where Nigerian boxer Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju tragically passed away after reportedly not undergoing the necessary medical procedures before his fight. Ladipo emphasized that all boxers must undergo medical evaluations 24 hours prior to any professional boxing match.
The ‘Chaos In The Ring’ event, organized by Game Rush and Balmoral Promotions, follows the success of the previous December 2024 boxing tournament and the February 2025 launch of the Friday Fight Night series. This exciting event will feature fighters from six countries, including Ghana, Tanzania, Egypt, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.
Among the highlights of the night will be Nigerian boxer Basit “Jokerboy” Adebayo’s challenge for the World Boxing Organization Youth International lightweight title against Tanzanian challenger Suleiman Sheha.
Portable, who has already tasted victory in a celebrity boxing match, defeating Nollywood actor Charles Okocha in December 2023, will now face Speed Darlington in what promises to be another explosive celebrity showdown. Both musicians have successfully completed their medicals and weigh-ins at the Balmoral Event Centre, and boxing fans are eagerly anticipating the spectacle that will unfold in the ring.
