Portable’s management has apologised to organisers and fans after the singer abruptly withdrew from his celebrity boxing rematch against actor Charles Okocha, ending the highly anticipated contest after just one round.
The bout, staged by Balmoral Group at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, came to an unexpected end on Friday night when the street-hop artiste refused to continue after the opening round, leaving spectators disappointed.
In a statement released on Saturday by Zeh Nation/Dr Zeh, the management expressed regret over the incident and accepted responsibility for the outcome.
The statement apologised to the event organisers, the production team, supporters, friends and family members, thanking them for their unwavering support despite the disappointing turn of events.
Portable’s management acknowledged the criticism that followed the singer’s decision to exit the ring but appealed to the public to respect his choice, noting that emotions can run high during competitive events.
The management also assured fans that lessons had been learned from the incident and pledged to return stronger in future appearances.
It further commended Balmoral Group for successfully organising the event and apologised for any inconvenience caused by the unexpected conclusion of the fight.
The contest, tagged “Unfinished Business,” was a rematch after Okocha activated a rematch clause following his defeat to Portable in December 2023.
The rivalry had intensified in the weeks leading up to the fight, with both entertainers exchanging insults on social media.
Portable was also hoping to bounce back after suffering a defeat to content creator Carter Efe earlier this year, while Okocha entered the ring determined to avenge his previous loss.
However, the contest ended after the first round when Portable walked away, prompting officials to award victory to Charles Okocha.
