Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as Portable, has announced his withdrawal from a much-anticipated celebrity boxing match with fellow artist Darlington Achakpo Okoye, aka Speed Darlington.
In a video posted on his Instagram, Portable declared that he no longer wished to fight Speed Darlington, calling him an unsuitable opponent. Instead, he challenged former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, demanding a N100 million fee for the fight.
“I’m not fighting Speed Darlington anymore; I want Anthony Joshua with N100 million,” Portable said in the viral video.
He also emphasized that Speed Darlington was merely using the planned bout as a promotional tool for his upcoming show, scheduled for April. Portable took a dig at Speed Darlington’s stature, claiming he was far more influential and successful in the music industry. He further noted that Speed Darlington had recently been released from Kuje Prison in January after being held for allegedly defaming Afrobeat star Burna Boy.
The announcement comes shortly after Speed Darlington had begun training for the now-cancelled fight. In a playful yet mocking video, the rapper was seen purchasing a coffin before heading to the gym with his trainer, a gesture that many interpreted as a direct jab at Portable. He had also been seen practicing his punches and working on his fitness for the showdown.
The boxing match between the two was originally slated for April 18, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Center in Lagos. However, with Portable’s latest decision, the future of the event now hangs in the balance, leaving the clash between the two stars uncertain — for the time being.
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