Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, delivered a swift defeat to rapper Speed Darlington (Darlington Okoye) during their much-hyped celebrity boxing match on Saturday, April 18, 2025.
The event, dubbed “Chaos in the Ring: Battle for Glory,” took place at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, drawing a large crowd and massive online attention. But the clash ended far sooner than many expected.
Portable dominated the fight with superior tactics and aggressive punches, sealing victory in just the first round, despite earlier claims that it ended in the second. Videos of the match quickly went viral, showing Speed Darlington being overpowered and eventually rushed out in an ambulance with a visibly injured arm.
In a surprising twist, Speed Darlington, also known as Akpi, had previously made headlines for purchasing a coffin he claimed would be used for Portable after the match. However, the tables turned dramatically when he suffered a dislocated shoulder mid-fight, leading to his withdrawal and Portable’s victory declaration in front of cheering fans.
The defeated rapper later took to social media to explain his side of the story, accusing Portable of using juju (black magic) to influence the match’s outcome.
Speed Darlington expressed regrets about missing out on the prize money, which he had hoped to use for a personal project.
In his words: “My shoulder come dislocate, I no know wetin happen, whether na the juju wey Portable carry come. I neva tire o, my shoulder just comot. It wasn’t a sharp pain but I couldn’t use it anymore, it was out of commission. Omo, me I think say na because I dey swing wide, if to say e break, I for no do this one, e no break, e just dislocate but dem don put am back in. Ambulance dey there so they put am back in but they say if you continue, e go end up surgery. The thing wey dey pain me now na all that money wey dey go carry give Portable, me I wan build swimming pool for my village, e pain me, I for do my own juju. That’s what it is mehn, the fight is over.”
Leading up to the fight, the pair had built anticipation with heated verbal exchanges and threats. At the weigh-in, both men traded insults, and Speed Darlington had boldly promised to knock Portable out.
Despite the drama and controversy, Portable walked away with the victory belt, marking another unpredictable moment in the wild world of Nigerian celebrity showdowns.
