As excitement builds ahead of the highly anticipated “Chaos In The Ring” boxing event, Chairman of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), Rafiu Ladipo, has reiterated the importance of adhering to proper medical protocols before professional boxing matches, Sports247 reports.
Ladipo’s remarks come in the wake of the recent death of Nigerian boxer Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju in Ghana, where it was alleged that he did not undergo mandatory medical checks before his fight.
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“There are two doctors here doing the medicals for all these boxers before the fight tomorrow. This is what they should have done in Ghana,” Ladipo said during Thursday’s weigh-in at the Balmoral Convention Centre.
“We are saying it again that 24 hours before every professional boxing fight, all boxers should have medicals and weigh-in.”
The Friday night event, tagged “Chaos In The Ring”, is organized by Game Rush in collaboration with Balmoral Promotions. Following the successful launch of Friday Fight Night in December 2024 and its February 2025 follow-up, this latest edition features elite fighters from six countries—Ghana, Tanzania, Egypt, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.
Among the professional bouts scheduled, Nigerian boxing talent Basit “Jokerboy” Adebayo is set to challenge Tanzania’s Suleiman Sheha for the prestigious World Boxing Organization (WBO) Youth International Lightweight Title.
However, stealing the spotlight is the celebrity showdown between controversial Nigerian singer Portable (Habeeb Okikiola) and his fierce rival Speed Darlington (Darlington Okoye). Both entertainers completed their weigh-ins and medicals on Thursday, building anticipation for their celebrity bout.
This isn’t Portable’s first time in the ring; he previously defeated Nollywood actor Charles Okocha in December 2023 after a heated four-round celebrity match at Landmark Beach, Lagos, which stemmed from a contractual dispute involving a reported Forty million naira.
During Thursday’s weigh-in, the atmosphere turned electric as Portable and Speed Darlington nearly came to blows. The two had to be physically separated after a tense face-off, with heated verbal exchanges hinting at the fireworks to come.
“You better say you’re not fighting again. I just came out of prison, I’m a former prisoner, and they’ve cut my hair. It’s all the bad side of my life that they cut away. I have already won this fight,” Portable taunted.
“I am a street fighter, and they paid me money to beat you, so I will beat you. I am sorry in advance. If you think it is because I just left prison, forget that. You are a mosquito, and a mosquito can’t beat a lion,” he added.
Speed Darlington responded just as fiercely:
“You can’t beat me, let’s go now! Nothing can happen. It is here they will wipe your blood, just show up tomorrow. I will take your belt home with me. I will bring the coffin for you and bury you in it after I beat you. You can’t compare Charles to me. He’s a father and he is old, no worry.”
As fans await the bell, tonight’s “Chaos In The Ring” promises a fusion of raw talent, celebrity drama, and international competition, spotlighting Nigerian boxing’s growing presence on the global stage.
