Controversial street-pop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has apologised to fans and organisers following his abrupt exit from his celebrity boxing rematch against Nollywood actor Charles Okocha.
The apology came hours after the highly publicised contest, organised by the Balmoral Group, ended in controversy when the singer declined to continue after the opening round.
In a statement released on Saturday through his management team, Zeh Nation/Dr Zeh, Portable expressed regret over the incident and acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans and other stakeholders.
“We sincerely apologise to the organisers, Balmoral Group, the entire event team, our fans, friends, family, and everyone who came out to support Portable at tonight’s celebrity boxing event,” the statement read.
The management admitted that emotions had influenced the singer’s decision but appealed to the public to respect his position.
“We understand the disappointment caused by the outcome of the fight and by Portable’s decision to step away after the first round.
While emotions can run high in moments like these, we respectfully ask everyone to respect his decision and perspective.”
The team further accepted responsibility for the incident and thanked supporters who stood by the singer throughout the event.
“On behalf of Portable’s management, we take full responsibility for the disappointment this may have caused. We remain grateful for the unwavering love and support shown to him throughout this journey,” the statement added.
The management also commended the organisers for successfully hosting the event despite its controversial ending.
READ ALSO: Portable Disqualified As Charles Okocha Wins Celebrity Boxing Rematch
“We appreciate Balmoral Group and everyone involved for putting together a great event, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
It further assured fans that lessons had been learnt from the incident and promised a stronger comeback in the future.
“We have taken note of the feedback, and we are committed to learning from this experience. We promise to come back stronger and do better next time.”
Friday’s rematch generated widespread attention after Okocha activated the rematch clause following his defeat to Portable in their first encounter in December 2023.
The two entertainers intensified their rivalry in the weeks leading up to the bout, exchanging taunts and threats across social media platforms.
Portable also entered the contest hoping to recover from his defeat to content creator Carter Efe earlier this year, while Okocha was determined to avenge his previous loss.
However, the contest ended unexpectedly after Portable walked away from the ring before the conclusion of the opening round, leading to his eventual disqualification and handing victory to Okocha.
The incident has continued to dominate conversations on social media, with supporters of both celebrities expressing mixed reactions to the dramatic conclusion of the fight.