Portable, Charles Okocha set for rematch July 31

Street artiste, Habeeb ‘Portable’ Badmus, and his celebrity boxing rival, Charles Okocha, are set for a rematch on July 31 after their press conference for Chaos in the Ring 4 descended into chaos on Tuesday at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton, Ikeja, Lagos.

Balmoral Group Promotions CEO, Ezekiel Adamu, confirmed the rematch had been activated at Okocha’s request following their first encounter which Portable won by unanimous decision.

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

True to character, Portable took over the stage on arrival and issued a fresh threat to his opponent.

“You that I have beaten before, I will break your bones. Fight is coming,” he said.

Okocha was quick to respond, dismissing their first meeting and promising a different outcome this time.

“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,” he said.

The exchange between the pair soon turned physical. A soda thrown in the heat of the moment triggered an exchange of fists and flying chairs, with Portable and Okocha at the centre of the melee before security separated all parties after several tense minutes.

The chaos was not limited to the rematch. A long-running social media feud between street-pop artists, Mr Real (Okafor Victor) and Idowest (Adekunle Idowu), also spilled into the venue, with both men exchanging threats before their scheduled bout. Idowest warned that his opponent would not make it to the second round.

Elsewhere, WBO Africa cruiserweight champion, Godday Appah, and challenger, Lekan ‘The Engine’ Muibi, required the intervention of security after an aggressive altercation while waiting to be called to the stage.

“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,” Appah said.

When Muibi attempted to respond, Appah cut him off, prompting Muibi to fire back, “Can you stop making noise and let me speak? The last time you challenged me, you insulted me, and I will see how long you will last in the ring. I always respect my opponents, and I still respect him, but he has taken it to the next level. As I said, he is going to learn the hard way.”

The full card for the July 31 event, will feature Taiwo ‘Esehpo’ Agbaje against South African Ayabonga Sonjika, Mr Real against Idowest, Portable against Okocha in their rematch, Appah defending his title against Muibi, and Rilwan Lawal against Yusuf Adeniji among others.

Speaking on the Agbaje bout, Adamu revealed that the South African opponent was not the promotion’s first choice.

“We had a few opponents. The Nigerian chickened out, the Mexican did too. But as soon as he saw the South African, he rushed for the option, so it was not just the belt but also the political tension that influenced it,” Adamu said.

Agbaje, for his part, expressed confidence in his preparation.

“I am 100 per cent ready to beat the South African when the fight comes. I am not happy about all I have seen. I am going to stop him within four rounds. He is going to be knocked out. The revenge is coming on July 31. The one thing I always say is I work hard in the gym, and I will make it happen in the ring. I also want the belt, so it is all extra motivation for me to beat him,” he said.

Adeniji, who faces multiple-time champion Rilwan Lawal, said he had no sentiment despite his respect for his opponent.

“I am thankful to Dr E for putting me on the card, and I will do my thing. I know I will win, and I know him since I was an amateur. I respect him a lot, but I just feel it is time to end his career, and I can help him,” Adeniji said.

Rilwan, however, dismissed suggestions that age was a factor working against him.

“I am ready for the fight. He is a champion, and I won’t underrate him, but I am a multiple-time champion, and it is my time, so I must smoke him. Age is just a number. I may be older, but if I see a chance, I’ll take it. When we get to the ring, I’ll show him I’m not yet close to retirement,” he said.

Adamu said the event would be available to fans both at the venue and remotely.

“If you can’t watch the fight at the location, stream it. It will be shown on DAZN and on our local channels as well,” he said.