Street-pop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has turned his controversial celebrity boxing rematch with Nollywood actor Charles Okocha into a new diss track, days after he was disqualified from their bout in Lagos.
The singer used the song to mock Okocha, question the officiating and give his own account of the chaotic ending that saw him lose the fight.
The bout, tagged “Unfinished Business”, was the main attraction at the Chaos in the Ring event held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The fight was organised as a rematch between Portable and Okocha after their first meeting ended in controversy.
Okocha had previously maintained that the outcome of their first encounter was not fairly judged in Portable’s favour, setting the stage for another contest between the two entertainers.
The rematch, however, ended in another dramatic fashion, with Portable disqualified after a heated exchange in the ring.
During the contest, Portable appeared to have gained the upper hand before the fight suddenly turned into a wrestling-like struggle.
The referee was unable to immediately separate the two men as they continued grappling, forcing security officials to intervene.
Amid the confusion, Portable left the ring before the bout could be properly concluded.
His action drew boos from some fans at the venue, and he was later brought back into the ring and disqualified.
Rather than allowing the defeat to end the controversy, Portable has now responded through music.
In the new track, the singer takes aim at the officiating and the circumstances surrounding the end of the fight.
He mocks the referee for allegedly turning away during the scuffle and questions how the contest was handled.
Portable also warns that he could settle the matter through traditional wrestling if Okocha provokes him again.
Another part of the song accuses Okocha of trying to choke him during the fight, which Portable claims caused the contest to degenerate into a street-style brawl.
The track continues Portable’s reputation for turning personal disputes and public controversies into music.
The singer, who has built a career around street-pop music and a highly outspoken public personality, has frequently used songs and social media posts to respond to criticism, disagreements and events involving other entertainers.
His latest song therefore gives him another platform to present his side of the boxing controversy while keeping the dispute in the public eye.
The rematch with Okocha was not Portable’s first experience of celebrity boxing.
Before facing Okocha again, the singer had also entered the ring against fellow entertainer Carter Efe.
Portable lost that contest by unanimous decision on May 1 at the same Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos.
The fight was televised on DAZN and marked another major celebrity boxing event involving a Nigerian entertainer.
His second defeat in the ring has now added another chapter to Portable’s growing involvement in celebrity boxing, an emerging form of entertainment that has attracted musicians, actors, comedians and internet personalities.
Celebrity boxing events have become increasingly popular because they combine entertainment, rivalry and sporting competition, while also drawing large audiences online and at venues.
The contests often generate publicity before and after the fights, particularly when the participants have existing disagreements or strong personalities.
Portable’s rivalry with Okocha fits into that pattern, with their first bout creating enough controversy to lead to a rematch.
Following his first loss to Okocha, Portable had revealed that he was paid N50 million for lasting one round in the contest.
He also claimed that the organisers had agreed to pay him N100 million if he completed two rounds.
At the time, the singer played down the effect of the defeat on his music career, describing himself as “a glorious child” and insisting that the setback would not affect his success in the music industry.
His latest reaction suggests that the boxing rivalry remains a source of inspiration for his music.
The new track has also shifted attention from the result of the fight to the events that took place inside the ring.
Portable’s account differs from the simple description of the bout as a defeat, as he focuses on the scuffle, the role of the referee and his allegation that Okocha attempted to choke him.
The controversy surrounding the rematch is likely to continue generating reactions among fans of both entertainers, particularly because of the personalities involved.
Okocha, known for his roles in Nollywood films and his energetic screen presence, has also developed a strong following through comedy and entertainment.
Portable, meanwhile, has remained one of Nigeria’s most talked-about street-pop artistes, with his music career often accompanied by public controversies.
The singer’s ability to turn such incidents into songs has become part of his public image.
By releasing the diss track only days after the fight, Portable has ensured that the rematch remains a subject of discussion beyond the boxing ring.
For now, the singer appears more interested in telling his side of the story through music than allowing the controversy to fade away.
While the official outcome of the rematch remains a disqualification in Okocha’s favour, Portable has used the incident to create another piece of music and renew his verbal battle with his fellow entertainer.
The latest development means that what began as a celebrity boxing rivalry has now extended into music, with Portable using his latest release to challenge the officiating, defend his actions and take fresh shots at Okocha.