Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has apologised to fans and organisers after withdrawing from his celebrity boxing rematch against actor Charles Okocha following the first round of their bout.
The highly anticipated contest, staged by Balmoral Group on Friday night, ended abruptly when Portable declined to continue after the opening round, disappointing many spectators who had gathered for the event.
In a statement released by his management, Zeh Nation/Dr Zeh, the singer expressed regret over the outcome of the fight and the disappointment caused to supporters.
“We sincerely apologise to the organisers, Balmoral Group, the entire event team, our fans, friends, family and everyone who came out to support Portable at the celebrity boxing event,” the statement said.
The management acknowledged that the decision to leave the contest had generated disappointment but appealed to Nigerians to respect the singer’s choice.
“We understand the disappointment caused by the outcome of the fight and by Portable’s decision to step away after the first round. While emotions can run high in moments like these, we respectfully ask everyone to respect his decision and perspective,” it stated.
Accepting responsibility for the incident, the management assured supporters that lessons had been learnt.
“On behalf of Portable’s management, we take full responsibility for the disappointment this may have caused. We remain grateful for the unwavering love and support shown to him throughout this journey,” the statement added.
It also commended Balmoral Group for organising the event despite its unexpected ending.
“We appreciate Balmoral Group and everyone involved for putting together a great event, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused,” the management said.
The statement further promised an improved performance in future appearances.
“We have taken note of the feedback, and we are committed to learning from this experience. We promise to come back stronger and do better next time,” it added.
The rematch had attracted significant attention after Charles Okocha activated the rematch clause following his defeat to Portable in their first celebrity boxing encounter in December 2023.
Ahead of Friday’s bout, both entertainers exchanged verbal attacks on social media, heightening public interest in the contest.
Portable was also seeking to recover from his earlier celebrity boxing loss to content creator Carter Efe, while Okocha aimed to avenge his previous defeat.
However, the fight ended unexpectedly when Portable refused to continue after the opening round, prompting widespread reactions from fans and culminating in a public apology from his management.
