Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, has officially withdrawn from his scheduled celebrity boxing match with fellow entertainer Darlington Achakpo Okoye, popularly called Speed Darlington.
Portable announced his decision in a video shared via his Instagram page on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
The ‘Zazu Zeh’ hitmaker stated that he no longer has any interest in facing Speed Darlington in the ring, instead setting his sights on a more high-profile opponent—former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua.
He added that he would be willing to fight Joshua for a bet of ₦100 million.
“I’m not fighting Speed Darlington again; I want Anthony Joshua with 100m,” Portable declared in the video.
The much-anticipated celebrity boxing event had been slated for April 18, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Center in Lagos. However, Portable’s sudden withdrawal has thrown the event into uncertainty, effectively cancelling the bout between the two musicians.
In a further swipe, Portable hinted that Speed Darlington may have used the planned fight to generate publicity for his upcoming show scheduled later this April.
In a separate development, Portable has also addressed his ongoing rift with renowned rapper and music executive Olamide. The singer recently opened up during an appearance on the EchoRoom podcast, where he claimed that Olamide had not done enough to support his career early on.
Naija News had earlier reported that Portable accused Olamide of taking his producer, dancer, and promoter. During the interview, he expressed disappointment over what he perceived as limited support from Olamide, who had featured on the remix of his breakout 2021 single, ‘Zazu.’ Portable compared Olamide’s efforts to those of British rapper Skepta, stating that Skepta offered him more than just a music collaboration.
Portable Withdraws from Celebrity Boxing Match with Speed Darlington, Challenges Anthony Joshua Instead
Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, has officially withdrawn from his scheduled celebrity boxing match with fellow entertainer Darlington Achakpo Okoye, popularly called Speed Darlington.
Portable announced his decision in a video shared via his Instagram page on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The ‘Zazu Zeh’ hitmaker stated that he no longer has any interest in facing Speed Darlington in the ring, instead setting his sights on a more high-profile opponent—former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua. He added that he would be willing to fight Joshua for a bet of ₦100 million.
“I’m not fighting Speed Darlington again; I want Anthony Joshua with 100m,” Portable declared in the video.
The much-anticipated celebrity boxing event had been slated for April 18, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Center in Lagos. However, Portable’s sudden withdrawal has thrown the event into uncertainty, effectively cancelling the bout between the two musicians.
In a further swipe, Portable hinted that Speed Darlington may have used the planned fight to generate publicity for his upcoming show scheduled later this April.
In a separate development, Portable has also addressed his ongoing rift with renowned rapper and music executive Olamide. The singer recently opened up during an appearance on the EchoRoom podcast, where he claimed that Olamide had not done enough to support his career early on.
Portable accused Olamide of taking his producer, dancer, and promoter. During the interview, he expressed disappointment over what he perceived as limited support from Olamide, who had featured on the remix of his breakout 2021 single, ‘Zazu.’ Portable compared Olamide’s efforts to those of British rapper Skepta, stating that Skepta offered him more than just a music collaboration.
