In a surprising twist to Nigeria’s already vibrant entertainment scene, Afro-fusion superstar Burna Boy has gifted controversial street-hop artist Portable a whopping $13,000 following his knockout victory over internet sensation Speed Darlington in a highly anticipated celebrity boxing match.
The match, which took place over the weekend in Lagos, was streamed live to thousands of fans across various social media platforms. Billed as a friendly but intense grudge match, the event lived up to expectations as Portable, born Habeeb Okikiola, stunned spectators with an unexpected show of athleticism, taking Speed Darlington down in the second round with a well-timed right hook.
Burna Boy, who has often expressed support for raw, street-bred talent, took to his Instagram stories shortly after the match to hail Portable’s victory, calling it “real street power in action.” In a surprising follow-up gesture, the Grammy Award-winning singer reportedly wired $13,000 (approximately ₦15 million) to Portable in what insiders are calling a “gift of encouragement.”
“I Love Fighters with the Heart of the Street” – Burna Boy
Sources close to Burna Boy say the artist was thoroughly entertained by the bout and impressed by Portable’s resilience, charisma, and unorthodox fighting style. “Burna Boy is all about energy, authenticity, and realness,” a member of his team revealed. “He saw that in Portable and wanted to reward him for putting on a show and staying true to his roots.”
The unexpected windfall sparked celebrations within Portable’s camp, with the artist himself posting a video on Instagram expressing gratitude to Burna Boy. “Na Burna Boy be the real Odogwu! Thank you, my big bro! 13 thousand dollars just like that! Zazuu!” he exclaimed, dancing with a crowd of supporters in his usual flamboyant fashion.
Speed Darlington Responds
Never one to shy away from controversy, Speed Darlington, the self-proclaimed “Energy God,” didn’t take the defeat—or the news of the cash gift—lightly. In a fiery Instagram Live session, he questioned the fairness of the match and accused Portable of “wrestling tactics” in a sport that was supposed to be boxing.
“He turned it into WWE!” Speed ranted. “They gave him money? For what? For cheating? I will demand a rematch under proper rules!”
Celebrity Boxing in Nigeria: A Rising Trend?
The Portable vs. Speed Darlington fight is the latest in a growing trend of celebrity boxing matches sweeping through Nigeria’s entertainment circles. What started as lighthearted challenges on social media is quickly evolving into monetized events pulling in sponsorships, live streams, and even international attention.
Burna Boy’s public involvement and generous gift might further elevate the legitimacy of these matches, positioning them as real opportunities for entertainers to boost their profile and their bank account.
Fans on social media have been quick to react, with hashtags like #PortableVsSpeed, #ZazuuKnockout, and #OdogwuDonBless trending on Twitter (X) and Instagram.
Whether this is the beginning of a new sports-entertainment hybrid or just another moment of celebrity drama remains to be seen. One thing is certain: with artists like Portable, Speed Darlington, and Burna Boy in the mix, Nigeria’s entertainment scene will never lack excitement.
