LAGOS — Social media comedian Carter Efe secured a unanimous decision victory over street artiste Habeeb “Portable” Badmus on Friday night, ending the singer’s unbeaten run in celebrity boxing at the Chaos in the Ring 4 event in Lagos.
The bout, held at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, saw Efe dominate across all three rounds, with judges scoring the contest 30-27 in his favour.
The result marks a turning point in Nigeria’s growing celebrity boxing scene, with Portable losing his status as the sport’s most prominent figure after previously defeating Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington to claim two belts.
Portable entered the fight with confidence, projecting a third consecutive win. “I will use you to collect my third belt,” he had said ahead of the bout, referencing his past victories over higher-profile opponents.
Efe, however, signalled a different outcome. “One punch and you fall,” he responded — a prediction that set the tone for the contest.
From the opening round, the stylistic contrast between both fighters was evident. Portable adopted an aggressive approach, throwing wide, unstructured punches in bursts. Efe, by comparison, maintained composure, using his reach advantage to absorb pressure and respond with measured counters.
As the fight progressed, Efe’s technical edge became more pronounced. He landed clean uppercuts and body shots, repeatedly finding openings as Portable struggled to convert aggression into effective scoring. The singer’s reliance on clinching and erratic swings limited his output and allowed Efe to dictate the pace.
By the second round, momentum had clearly shifted. Efe increased his accuracy, stringing together combinations while maintaining defensive discipline. Portable’s approach remained largely unchanged, but with diminishing effectiveness.
The third round followed a similar pattern, with Efe controlling exchanges and landing the cleaner shots en route to a clear decision.
The outcome underscores a shift in celebrity boxing from spectacle-driven bouts to contests where preparation and technique are increasingly decisive. Efe’s performance highlighted the advantage of structure and discipline over raw aggression.
With the victory, Efe emerges as the new face of celebrity boxing, while questions remain over Portable’s next move following his first defeat in the format.
Post-fight reactions added another layer to the event’s profile, with businessman E-Money reportedly gifting Efe ₦50 million in recognition of the win — a sign of the growing commercial appeal surrounding celebrity boxing in Nigeria.
