Nollywood actor Charles Okocha has dismissed allegations by controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, that he bit him during their recent celebrity boxing rematch, insisting the claim is false and impossible because he wore a mouth guard throughout the contest.
The rematch, held at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos, ended in controversy after Okocha was declared the winner when Portable was disqualified for breaching the rules.
The singer abandoned the agreed boxing format for wrestling techniques before walking out of the ring, bringing the bout to an abrupt end and sparking fresh exchanges between both entertainers.
Responding to the allegation during an appearance on TVC Entertainment on Tuesday, Okocha rejected Portable’s claims that he bit him on the back and locked his neck during the fight. He maintained that his protective mouth guard made such an accusation baseless and urged the singer to accept the outcome of the contest instead of making excuses.
“Portable has been going around telling people I bit him on the back. I was wearing a mouth guard; how is that even possible? He was just lying,” Okocha said during the interview.
“I would rather chew grass than bite him. I don’t want to catch rabies. Have you seen how Portable’s skin looks? Hell no, I wouldn’t do that. He should just accept defeat,” he said.
Portable had alleged after the bout that Okocha bit him from behind and held him by the neck during the contest. The singer argued that those actions made the fight unfair and suggested he should never have accepted the match under those conditions.
The celebrity boxing rematch generated widespread attention on social media, with videos from the event circulating online shortly after the contest. Okocha’s victory came after officials ruled that Portable violated the rules by switching from boxing to wrestling techniques before eventually leaving the ring.
The latest clash adds another chapter to the growing rivalry between the two entertainers. In 2023, Portable defeated Okocha during a celebrity boxing contest staged at Landmark Beach in Victoria Island, Lagos, where he emerged with the championship belt after defeating the actor.
Portable has also found himself at the centre of controversy following another celebrity boxing defeat. The singer recently lost to skit maker Carter Efe and afterwards alleged that there was foul play during the contest.
Following that loss, Portable claimed Carter Efe used his long arms to hold him by the neck throughout the fight. He also demanded ₦200 million in compensation from the organisers, arguing that he participated in the bout despite his wife being in labour at the time.
