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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

VIDEO: Portable, Okocha trade insults ahead of rematch

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Controversial singer Portable and actor Charles Okocha engaged in a heated verbal exchange during a live interview ahead of their celebrity boxing rematch.
  • Both men intensified their rivalry, with Portable boasting about his previous victory and preparations for the July 31 bout.
  • Okocha urged Portable to save his energy for the fight, while the presenter attempted to de-escalate the confrontation.

A live interview intended to preview an upcoming celebrity boxing rematch devolved into a heated verbal exchange between controversial singer Portable and actor Charles Okocha. The confrontation occurred during a TVC program titled 'Chaos in the Ring' on Wednesday, as both personalities escalated their rivalry ahead of their scheduled July 31 bout.

I’m the man… I go prepare, I don prepare, I go win again, I go fight again. I go beat Charles Okocha.

— PortableBoasting about his preparations and confidence ahead of the rematch.

Portable, whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola, repeatedly declared his intention to defeat Okocha again, citing his preparations and his previous victory over the actor. He boasted about his relationship with British rapper Skepta and urged Nigerians to believe in him. Standing shirtless, Portable abruptly rose from his seat, throwing fake punches at Okocha, insisting he was already the winner and ready to defend himself in the rematch.

Okocha repeatedly advised Portable to reserve his energy for the fight night, expressing frustration with the singer's behavior. "So what are you talking about? Can you save that for the ring? Can you save that on the 31st? Don’t disrespect me! I’m not your mate. Don’t disrespect me!" Okocha stated. As the two men shouted over each other, the program's presenter intervened, appealing to Portable to calm down and attempting to steer the discussion back to the fight.

So what are you talking about? Can you save that for the ring? Can you save that on the 31st? Don’t disrespect me! I’m not your mate. Don’t disrespect me!

— Charles OkochaReacting to Portable's aggressive behavior during the live interview.

The upcoming rematch follows Portable's unanimous decision victory over Okocha in their initial encounter. Okocha had exercised his right to activate a rematch clause. Both fighters have been engaged in separate training camps and have continued to exchange verbal threats. Portable recently announced plans to challenge fellow singer Terry G to another celebrity boxing match after facing Okocha, indicating his intention to pursue a boxing career alongside his music. He also claimed to have received a portion of the reported ₦150 million purse for the July 31 fight.

Portable… Portable, calm down. It’s understandable that this energy is on right here.

— PresenterAttempting to de-escalate the heated exchange between Portable and Okocha.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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