 |
| Photo credit — Phyna being celebrated after beating Nkechi Blessing in the October 1, 2026 Chaos in the ring |
On October 1, 2026, Balmoral Promotions staged another edition of Chaos in the Ring at the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos. The Independence Day card mixed professional championship boxing with high-profile celebrity contests and delivered several decisive results.
Phyna stops Nkechi Blessing to claim Nigeria’s first female celebrity boxing victory
Former Big Brother Naija winner Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, known as Phyna, defeated Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing by knockout in their scheduled four-round bout. The contest is widely reported as the first female celebrity boxing match of its kind in Nigeria.
Phyna earned ₦50 million for the win and immediately pointed to a potential next opponent.
She named actress Etinosa Idemudia, saying the Nollywood star had been contacting her through direct messages. Etinosa, who was present, accepted the challenge, opening the door to another celebrity matchup. Phyna also said she plans to continue in boxing and explore a professional path.
The fight settled a public feud that began after Nkechi reportedly reached out about a possible film project and asked for Phyna’s rate. Delayed replies led to Instagram exchanges in which Nkechi called Phyna a “nuisance” and criticised her online behaviour. Phyna responded by referring to Nkechi’s age in dismissive terms. The tension later spilled into a physical confrontation during a taped appearance on The Morayo Show. Both sides eventually signed to settle the matter in the ring. Pre-fight press events featured heated arguments, scuffles and thrown objects.
LINKS 🔗
▶︎▶︎ ‘Olu Jacobs Trained Me’ — Sola Sobowale Pays Tribute to Late Nollywood Icon
▶︎▶︎ DJ Tunez Announces New Project “In Tunez We Trust Vol. 1” – Out November 13
Carter Efe extends unbeaten run against Speed Darlington
In the main celebrity bout, content creator and streamer Carter Efe (Oderhohwo Joseph Efe) defeated rapper Speed Darlington (Darlington Okoye). Reports describe a one-sided four-round contest that Efe controlled. Punch Newspapers characterised the finish as a technical knockout after Speed stopped moving effectively; other accounts recorded a unanimous decision. Either way, the result kept Efe undefeated in the Chaos in the Ring celebrity series.
Efe previously beat singer Portable by unanimous decision (30-27 on all cards) in a three-round bout at the same venue on May 1, 2026. The build-up to the October fight featured sharp verbal exchanges and a chaotic press conference that included a smashed birthday cake and a brief fire started by firecrackers.
After the win, Efe called for higher-profile international opponents, naming American rapper DDG and Floyd Mayweather among possible future names.
Professional main event and undercard results
Ghana’s Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah defeated Nigeria’s Godday “Zodsolo” Appah by decision over 10 rounds to claim the WBO African Light Heavyweight title. Appah had been defending the belt after earlier success in the promotion’s May card.
Other professional results included:
• Michael “Killerboy” Babalola defeated Lucky Oyibo by unanimous decision (super-welterweight, four rounds).
• Yusuf Adisa Adeniji defeated David Tagoe by unanimous decision (eight rounds).
• Israel Makinde knocked out Abiodun Muyideen in the first round.
• Basit “Joker Boy” Adebayo scored a technical knockout win over Toheeb Kehinde in the sixth round.
• Muibi Lekan defeated Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka by unanimous decision.
The full card was broadcast live on SuperSport and DAZN and featured sponsorship support including Bet9ja.
RELATED
▶︎▶︎ BBNaija’s Cross Okonkwo Alleges Street Beggar Robbed Him in Lekki, Questions Lagos Security
▶︎▶︎ Join our WhatsApp channel
Why the night mattered
Chaos in the Ring continues to blend entertainment personalities with professional boxing in Lagos. The first female celebrity bout, the high-visibility Efe–Darlington rivalry, and a continental title changing hands gave the Independence Day show clear talking points. Phyna’s knockout and stated interest in a professional career, together with Efe’s call for bigger opponents, suggest the celebrity side of the promotion may keep expanding.
Chioma Adeyemi is an entertainment and music writer at Naijapiz. She covers Entertainment, Music, Videos.
Post a Comment