Nigerian street-pop artiste Portable has alleged foul play following his defeat to Carter Efe at the Chaos in the Ring 4 boxing event in Lagos, claiming the outcome was manipulated to avoid massive financial payouts.
Reacting after the bout, Portable insisted the fight was “rigged,” alleging that organisers deliberately stopped the contest to prevent paying out billions of naira wagered on his victory.
“It was cheating. They couldn’t pay the money, so they rigged it. We are the ones who won, so they ripped me. They couldn’t pay the ₦23 billion that people bet on me. If Portable wins, they can never pay the money,” he said.
The singer also faulted the referee’s decision to halt the fight, arguing that he was still capable of continuing despite appearing exhausted.
“They should have let us keep fighting. They said I was panting — I did the same against Charles Okocha. All they should have done was pour water on me so I could go and beat him, but they said the fight was over,” he added.
Portable, who lost by unanimous decision after three rounds, further demanded payment from the organisers, claiming he was owed revenue generated from the event’s streaming.
“To the organisers, I want my stream money amounting to about ₦200 million. Just give me my money before I cause trouble,” he said.
Despite his complaints, the bout ended his reign as celebrity boxing champion, having previously secured wins over other entertainers in similar exhibition fights.
Meanwhile, Canada-based Nigerian doctor Arinze Onwumelu has advised that the singer undergo medical evaluation following the fight. He warned that repeated punches to the head could pose serious health risks, including internal injuries.
“Anybody who knows Portable should take him to the hospital for an MRI and brain test; there may be an artery that might have been damaged,” he said, urging organisers to prioritise safety in future bouts.
Amid the controversy, Portable said the birth of his child on the same night overshadowed the loss.
“My wife just gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. I value that more than a belt. You can buy the belt, but not my child,” he said.