In a show of support and star power, Grammy Award-winning Nigerian music icon Burna Boy has gifted controversial street-hop singer Portable a generous N20 million following his victory in the much-publicized celebrity boxing match against Speed Darlington.
The fight, which was billed as “Chaos in the Rings,” ended prematurely over the weekend after Speed Darlington sustained an injury during the first round and was unable to return for the second, effectively handing Portable the win.
The gesture from Burna Boy, popularly known as Odogwu, has since gone viral on social media, further fueling buzz around both artists and reigniting interest in Nigeria’s growing celebrity boxing scene.
Burna Boy Celebrates Portable’s Win With Lavish Gift
Portable, whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola, took to Instagram to share news of the multi-million naira windfall on Saturday, thanking Burna Boy for his unexpected support.
“20 million from @burnaboygram,” Portable posted in a now-trending Instagram Story.
“If you wanna be like Odogwu, can you do like Odogwu? God bless your family.”
The Zazu crooner, known for his eccentric personality and viral outbursts, appeared visibly elated in a follow-up video, praising Burna Boy for recognizing his efforts and encouraging others in the industry to support emerging talents.
The N20 million gift has not only added a financial boost to Portable’s rising profile but also sparked intense conversation among fans over the nature of celebrity feuds, public performances, and loyalty in Nigeria’s entertainment space.
The Fight That Shook the Internet
The celebrity boxing match between Portable and Speed Darlington had been hyped for weeks, generating massive anticipation across social media platforms. Dubbed “Chaos in the Rings,” the match was expected to be a dramatic showdown between two of Nigeria’s most controversial entertainers.
Held in Lagos on Friday night, the fight was packed with drama from the start. However, it came to an abrupt end after Speed Darlington, real name Darlington Okoye, reportedly broke his arm during the first round. Medical staff ruled him unfit to continue, resulting in a technical victory for Portable.
Despite the anticlimactic ending, Portable seized the moment, parading with the title and delivering his signature energetic performance to celebrate the win.
“I told them I’m the champion. I came, I fought, and I won,” he said in a post-fight video shared with fans.
“Speedy ran away. I’m the real street king.”
Speed Darlington has yet to publicly respond to the loss or confirm the injury, though sources close to the event said he was treated for a fractured forearm immediately after exiting the ring.
Longstanding Tension Between Burna Boy and Speed Darlington
Burna Boy’s generous gesture has also been viewed in light of his rocky relationship with Speed Darlington. The two artists have traded jabs on social media in the past, with Speedy accusing Burna Boy of being arrogant and dismissive of grassroots talents.
The Last Last singer has largely avoided direct responses but has occasionally liked or commented on posts mocking Speed Darlington’s career trajectory. Fans now interpret his gift to Portable as a subtle jab at Speedy, celebrating his rival’s defeat while uplifting a rising street artist.
“Odogwu always supports who deserves it. Portable may be controversial, but he’s real and unapologetically street. That’s why Burna respects him,” a fan commented on X (formerly Twitter).
Portable’s Meteoric Rise and Unfiltered Persona
Portable has made headlines for a string of controversies since rising to fame in 2021 with his breakout hit Zazu Zeh featuring Olamide and Poco Lee. Despite multiple industry run-ins, public feuds, and brief detentions by authorities, the 30-year-old singer has maintained a loyal fanbase among Nigeria’s street music lovers.
His raw, often unfiltered lyrics and unpredictable behavior have kept him at the center of online debates, but the Burna Boy endorsement may mark a new chapter for the artist.
With over 2 million followers on Instagram and a string of viral hits, Portable is fast cementing his place as one of the most talked-about figures in Nigerian pop culture.
Burna Boy: The Kingmaker?
Known for his global influence and unapologetic Pan-African message, Burna Boy’s financial show of support to Portable is not his first time uplifting younger artists. In 2020, he openly endorsed new talents like Rema and Fireboy DML. But this latest gift may signal a shift toward rewarding street artists who are independently making waves without the traditional industry backing.
Entertainment analyst Femi Adeyeye described the move as “classic Burna,” noting:
“Burna Boy has always walked his own path. Gifting Portable is a strategic cultural move—he’s aligning himself with raw street credibility while also taking a not-so-subtle dig at Speed Darlington.”
Fans React Across Social Media
The online reaction to the gift has been explosive, with many praising Burna Boy’s generosity and sense of humor. Hashtags like #Odogwu, #Portable, and #SpeedDarlington trended on X and Instagram throughout the weekend.
“Portable really walked into the ring, got punched once, and walked out with 20 million. This country is a movie,” joked one user.
Another wrote:
“Say what you want about Burna Boy, but he knows how to make a statement. Supporting Portable is both symbolic and strategic.”
What’s Next for Portable?
Fresh off his unexpected boxing victory and N20 million cash windfall, Portable hinted at releasing a new single inspired by the fight and his appreciation for Burna Boy.
“New song loading for Odogwu. I no fit forget this love,” he teased in a late-night Instagram live session.
He also expressed interest in organizing more celebrity fights, suggesting names like Seun Kuti, Slimcase, and even White Money as potential future challengers.
Whether or not these matches materialize, one thing is clear: Portable is riding a new wave of fame, and with support from Burna Boy, his stock in the entertainment world is set to rise even higher.
