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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Portable, Charles Okocha set for rematch July 31

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Nigerian street artist Portable and rival boxer Charles Okocha are set for a rematch on July 31 after their press conference devolved into a physical altercation.
  • The press conference for Chaos in the Ring 4, organized by Balmoral Group Promotions, saw Portable and Okocha exchange threats and then blows, with chairs and drinks thrown.
  • Other boxing matches on the card also experienced aggressive altercations between fighters, including Mr Real vs. Idowest and Godday Appah vs. Lekan Muibi.

The press conference for the "Chaos in the Ring 4" boxing event in Lagos, Nigeria, erupted into chaos Tuesday, setting the stage for a July 31 rematch between street artist Portable and actor Charles Okocha.

They fought before. Charles wants a rematch. He activated a rematch clause. So, we expected that, and we will make it happen.

— Ezekiel AdamuBalmoral Group Promotions CEO confirming the rematch.

Organizers confirmed the rematch after Okocha activated a clause following his loss to Portable in their first bout. Portable, known for his volatile persona, immediately issued a fresh threat to Okocha, vowing to "break your bones." Okocha responded with equal aggression, promising to "kill you in the ring" and dismissing their previous fight as not "real."

You that I have beaten before, I will break your bones. Fight is coming.

— PortableIssuing a threat to Charles Okocha at the press conference.

The verbal sparring quickly escalated to a physical confrontation. A thrown soda triggered an exchange of fists and flying chairs, requiring security intervention to separate the fighters. The melee highlighted the intense rivalry and the volatile atmosphere surrounding the event.

Let me tell you something, I will kill you in the ring. I am fearless. We will see who the man is on the 31st of July. Everyone knows the first one was not a real fight, but this time it is the real deal. And he will not survive two rounds if he finds a way to escape me in the first round.

— Charles OkochaResponding to Portable's threat and vowing a different outcome in the rematch.

The chaos was not confined to Portable and Okocha. Other scheduled bouts also saw pre-fight tensions boil over. Street-pop artists Mr Real and Idowest exchanged threats, with Idowest vowing his opponent wouldn't last two rounds. Similarly, boxers Godday Appah and Lekan Muibi had an aggressive altercation, with Appah declaring himself the "big dog" and promising "violence."

I came all the way to the city of Lagos not for friendly talk. I am nobody’s friend. I am here to fight for what I stand for. I am the big dog here. He has to get some bouts, or else he will be beaten out. He must not disrespect me. I am here to fight, and I am here for violence. This is who I am made for.

— Godday AppahAggressively addressing his challenger, Lekan Muibi.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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