Azania Omo-Agege, the interim president of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, has issued a word of caution to celebrity entertainers Portable and Speed Darlington as they gear up for their highly anticipated boxing match scheduled for April 18.
Omo-Agege acknowledged Portable’s efforts in spotlighting the sport, especially following his previous bout with Charles Okocha, and commended him for leveraging his popularity to attract attention to boxing. However, he emphasized that stepping into the ring demands far more discipline and safety consciousness than informal or street-style brawling.
“I want to thank Portable for using his platform to promote boxing,” Omo-Agege remarked. “It’s essential for both fighters to approach this match with the right mindset and preparation to ensure their safety.”
He raised concerns about the limited time left before the match—dubbed “Chaos in the Ring: Battle for Glory”—which will take place at the Balmoral Convention Center on Victoria Island, Lagos. According to Omo-Agege, promoters must take steps to ensure both entertainers undergo proper training before the fight.
“Two weeks may not be sufficient for them to prepare adequately, especially considering their current fitness levels,” he explained. “As entertainers, their lifestyles might differ from professional athletes, and they must be in good health for this match.”
Omo-Agege further stressed the importance of adequate safety measures, such as using protective gear and having medical personnel on standby. His concerns come in the wake of the recent death of Nigerian boxer Olanrewaju Segun ‘Success,’ who tragically passed away from cardiac arrest during a fight in Ghana.
“I advise the promoters to ensure that Portable and Speed Darlington wear headgear this time,” he added. “In their previous match, they fought without adequate protection, which was not ideal. It’s imperative to prioritize their safety with proper gear.”
The tension between the two celebrities reportedly escalated when Speed Darlington offered Portable ₦500,000 to perform at one of his events—a move Portable took as a slight.
In preparation for the bout, Portable has been training in an improvised outdoor boxing space. He previously won a headline-grabbing match against actor Charles Okocha in December, although Okocha has since demanded a rematch.
