Controversial street-pop artist Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, has challenged veteran singer Terry G to a celebrity boxing match. The singer made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds programme. Explaining his unusual motivation for the challenge, Portable stated that stepping into the ring with him would help revive the older artist’s career and public profile.
During the interview, the interviewer asked, “Tell me the celebrity that would like to beat? Any celebrity that’s on your mind?” Portable responded, “Me, I want to fight Terry G.” When the interviewer followed up by asking, “Do you want to fight VDM?”, Portable insisted on his original choice. “Is that Terry G that I want to fight? I won blow am. I want to resurrect his career. If Terry G fight meet one on one in boxing, I swear to God, he will rise again. People will remember him again,” Portable stated.
Portable’s call-out highlights the growing and lucrative trend of celebrity boxing in Nigeria, where online feuds, social media banter, and personal rivalries are routinely settled inside the squared circle for public entertainment. Over the last few years, these high-profile exhibition bouts have evolved into major commercial events, drawing massive crowds, corporate sponsorships, and extensive media coverage. Portable has frequently claimed credit for driving this phenomenon, boasting about the economic value he brings to the sport. “I have tried enough for Nigeria. I used my own career to build Nigerian boxing. I make ₦50 million to ₦100 million in a day. If na you born me, you go dey happy,” the singer boasted.
The controversial musician is no stranger to high-stakes physical showdowns. His journey in celebrity boxing began with a heavily publicized feud with Nollywood actor and internet personality Charles Okocha. Following a business dispute over an ambassadorship deal, the two settled their differences in the ring in December 2023, with Portable securing a points victory after a hard-fought encounter.
However, Portable’s dominance in the celebrity boxing scene faced a major setback in May 2026 at the Chaos in the Ring 4 event held at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. Entering the bout with swagger and promising to claim another belt, Portable was outclassed by social media comedian and content creator Carter Efe. All three judges scored the bout unanimously in favor of Carter Efe, handing Portable his first career defeat in the sport and stripping him of his self-proclaimed boxing crown. Undeterred by the loss, Portable has continued to stay active in the combat sports entertainment space, lining up a highly anticipated grudge rematch against Charles Okocha.
Before dominating entertainment headlines with physical altercations and boxing matches, Portable built his reputation in the Nigerian music industry. Hailing from Ogun State, his breakout moment arrived in late 2021 with the release of his viral street anthem “ZaZoo Zehh,” which featured rapper Olamide and dancer Poco Lee. The track instantly catapulted him into mainstream prominence.
Known for raw, high-energy delivery and street lingo, Portable’s discography has since expanded with numerous singles and collaborative projects that resonate deeply with fans across the country. Despite constant controversies, run-ins with law enforcement, and online spats with colleagues, he has managed to maintain a fiercely loyal fanbase and a constant presence in pop culture conversations.
