Celebrity Boxing: Carter Efe Beats Portable, Gets N50m Gift As Singer Claims He Was Robbed
By: Abudu Olalekan
Street-hop singer Habeeb Badmus, popularly known as Portable, lost his celebrity boxing crown on Friday night after comedian and skit maker Carter Efe beat him by unanimous decision.
The fight took place at the Chaos in the Ring 4 event held at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
It was not the ending Portable expected. Not at all.
The ZaZoo crooner came into the ring with his usual confidence, loud energy, and plenty of talk. He had already beaten Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington in previous celebrity boxing bouts, and he was looking to add another win to his record.
Before the fight, Portable had warned Carter Efe that he would be his next victim.
“I will use you to collect my third belt. Charles Okocha was bigger than you, Speed Darlington was bigger than you, and I beat them. I will beat you now,” he said.
Carter Efe kept his own reply short.
“One punch and you fall,” he said.
But when the bell rang, it was Carter who looked calmer and more composed.
Portable started the first round aggressively, throwing heavy and wild punches in his usual rough style. He pushed forward, trying to overwhelm Carter early. But Carter, who had the advantage in height and reach, stayed patient. He absorbed the pressure and answered with cleaner shots, including uppercuts and body punches that clearly troubled Portable.
The second round followed almost the same pattern. Portable kept swinging wide and rushing in, but Carter became more confident. He landed better combinations and controlled the exchanges. Portable tried to close the distance several times, but Carter used his longer arms well and kept picking his shots.
By the third round, Carter had settled fully into the fight. Portable still showed heart, but his punches lacked accuracy. Carter continued to land the cleaner shots until the final bell.
When the judges’ scores were announced, all three had it 27-30 in favour of Carter Efe.
Just like that, Portable’s reign as celebrity boxing champion was over.
E-Money Confirms N50m Gift For Carter Efe
After the fight, Lagos businessman and socialite Emeka Okonkwo, better known as E-Money, confirmed that he would honour his promise to reward Carter Efe with N50m for winning the bout.
Balmoral Group Promotions CEO, Ezekiel Adamu, asked E-Money about the pledge at the end of the event, and the businessman did not hesitate.
“You know we put our money where our mouth is, and so congratulations Carter on your win. N50 million for you,” E-Money said.
Adamu also praised the success of the event, saying it lived up to expectations.
“We promised Chaos in the Ring and we have delivered very entertaining fights tonight. There is more coming, thanks to everyone that made this a success and to the fighters for the great display,” he said.
In the co-main event, Godday Appah became the new WBO Africa cruiserweight champion after defeating Ezra Arenyeka by split decision.
That bout was promoted as a symbolic WBO Peace Fight between the Itsekiri and Ijaw communities of the Niger Delta.
Portable Rejects Defeat, Says He Was Robbed
Portable, however, did not take the result quietly.
Shortly after the match, the singer went live on Instagram and claimed the fight was unfair. According to him, Carter Efe used his height and long arms to hold him too much during the bout.
Portable insisted that his own punches were not properly counted.
“I was robbed. Carter Efe was not professional enough. He was strangling with his long hands and height. I threw him many punches, why didn’t you people count them?” he said.
He argued that any punch he landed should have counted, even if it hit Carter’s shoulder or hand.
“Any blow that I threw to him ought to count even if it meets him on the shoulder or hand,” Portable added.
The singer also demanded money from the organisers, claiming he was owed about N200m from streaming revenue.
“To the organisers, I want my stream money amounting to about N200 million. Just give me my money before I cause trouble,” he said.
Still angry, Portable accused the organisers of cheating him.
“They did ojoro for me. Carter Efe was just holding my neck. I was punching him too but you people are not talking about that. They knew he is tall and has long hands but still put him in a boxing match with me,” he said.
“My New Baby Is Bigger Than Any Belt” — Portable
Despite losing his belt, Portable said he was not too worried because he had something more important to celebrate.
His wife had just welcomed a baby boy.
According to him, a boxing belt can be bought, but a child cannot.
“You can only buy a belt with money, but a child cannot be bought. You people cheated. I thought I was going to dance with my belt but I ended up with my new baby,” he said.
“My wife just gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. I value that more than a belt. You can buy the belt but not my child,” Portable added.
The defeat marked Portable’s first loss in celebrity boxing, ending the winning run that began with victories over Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington.
Carter Efe, meanwhile, walked away with the win, the bragging rights, and a promised N50m reward.
