Portable Defends Ring Exit, Says ‘I’m Bigger Than the Money’

Street-pop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has explained why he walked out of his celebrity boxing rematch against Nollywood actor Charles Okocha, alleging that his opponent bit him and turned the contest into a wrestling bout.

Portable made the claims in a video shared on his Instagram page on Saturday, hours after he was disqualified from the highly publicised fight held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The singer displayed what he described as bite marks and injuries on his back and body, insisting he was attacked unfairly during the contest.

“They said he eats Molly. He didn’t see Molly anymore. So he ate my back,” Portable said while showing the alleged injury.

He further alleged that Okocha bit him during the bout.

“Man, he bit me. I landed a heavy hit on him,” he claimed.

Portable maintained that he had the upper hand in the fight before the incident, insisting he landed more punches on the actor.

“Normally, I beat him up. Man to man, one man is tougher than another. I dealt him a huge blow,” he said.

Explaining why he left the ring, the singer said he no longer intended to participate in celebrity boxing, adding that his music 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.

Portable also claimed he fulfilled his promise to land 10 punches on Okocha, adding that he had hoped to end the contest in the opening round.

“I wore one-round cloth to the bout. I wanted to beat him in one round,” he added.

The rematch, tagged “Unfinished Business,” ended in controversy after the contest degenerated into a wrestling-like scuffle during the opening round, forcing the referee and security personnel to intervene.

Although Portable later returned to the ring after initially walking away, officials ruled that he had abandoned the contest and disqualified him, handing victory to Okocha.

The defeat reversed the outcome of their first celebrity boxing clash in 2023, which Portable had won, while Okocha had maintained that the result was unfair.