Controversial Nigerian street singer Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, has explained why he left the ring during his celebrity boxing rematch with Nollywood actor Charles Okocha.
The “Zazoo Zeh” singer said he was unfairly harassed throughout the fight and that Okocha turned to wrestling instead of boxing.
He remarked in a video posted on his Instagram profile on Saturday, just hours after being eliminated from the highly publicized event hosted at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Portable appeared in the video with a wound on his back and body, claiming he was bitten during the battle and that multiple individuals attacked him.
While displaying the marks on his body, Portable stated that, “They said he eats Molly. He didn’t see Molly anymore. So he ate my back.”
He also alleged that Okocha bit him during the contest.
“Man, he bit me. I landed a heavy hit on him,” Portable said.
The Zaazoo crooner maintained that he had dominated the fight before the incident, repeatedly insisting he landed more punches on his opponent.
“Normally, I beat him up. Man to man, one man is tougher than another. I dealt him a huge blow,” he said.
Speaking on his decision to leave the ring, Portable suggested he no longer wished to participate in such fights, saying his career was worth more than the prize money.
“He bit me, number one. He choked my neck. Camera it. That’s why I say I don’t fight again. I’m big! I’m bigger than the money! I’m a star!” he said.
He also stated that he had promised to deliver 10 blows and fulfilled that promise.
Addressing his followers, he said, “I wore a one-round cloth to the bout. I wanted to beat him in one round.”
Chronicle NG reports that Portable lost the celebrity boxing rematch against Okocha by disqualification on Friday after walking out of the ring before the end of the opening round.
The bout, dubbed “Unfinished Business,” was scheduled as a rematch of their contentious first fight, which Okocha said was wrongly awarded in Portable’s favor.
Portable appeared to have the upper hand before the bout devolved into a wrestling-style brawl, with the referee unable to separate the two participants.
The bell ultimately rang to signal the conclusion of the round, and security agents and bodyguards interfered to restore order.
Speaking in the video, the singer stated that he would not have clinched with Okocha if the actor had not bitten him.
Although Portable eventually returned to the ring, officials disqualified him and awarded victory to Okocha.
Before the bout, Portable had told reporters, “I am not happy, but I want God to make me happy and my family.”
The defeat is a reversal of fortunes for the singer, who won their first meeting and had boasted during the final weigh-in that he remained the better fighter.
