The official press conference for Chaos in the Ring’s Independence Day boxing event descended into disorder on Tuesday as skit maker Carter Efe and rapper Speed Darlington exchanged heated threats ahead of their October 1 showdown in Lagos.
The event at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton, Ikeja, also featured a tense face-off between actress Nkechi Blessing and reality TV star Phyna, while a birthday cake presentation for Efe ended dramatically after Speed Darlington kicked the cake to the ground.
The situation escalated further when firecrackers released by Efe’s entourage sparked a brief fire at the venue. The flames were quickly brought under control with fire extinguishers.
Efe began the verbal exchanges by questioning Speed Darlington’s decision to accept the fight following his own victory over Habeeb “Portable” Badmus in May.
“Speed Darlington, are you insane? You want to fight me when you could not beat Portable. You should not be in the ring with me at all, and that is why I will beat you,” Efe said.
He also defended his previous comments about music star Wizkid, describing such call-outs as part of entertainment rather than disrespect.
Speed Darlington responded by targeting the belt Efe won after defeating Portable, warning his opponent that he intended to take it from him.
“Be careful with that belt. Your belt is mine. Do not scratch it now,” he said.
The confrontation between Phyna and Nkechi Blessing was equally heated, with both women trading threats ahead of their bout.
“I will beat you. You won’t do it again. This disrespect is too much. I am three million per cent prepared for the fight,” Nkechi Blessing declared.
Phyna responded in similar fashion, warning her opponent that she intended to end the contest decisively.
Chaos in the Ring founder and Balmoral Group Promotions chief, Dr Ezekiel Adamu, admitted that the rivalry between the two women had become personal.
He also said the intensity surrounding the various matchups had exceeded expectations, describing the event as a night filled with rivalries and high emotions.
The October 1 card will be headlined by Godday Appah’s defence of his WBO African Light Heavyweight Continental Championship against Ghana’s Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah.
Efe will face Speed Darlington, while Phyna takes on Nkechi Blessing on the undercard.
Efe enters the bout after defeating Portable by unanimous decision at the same venue in May, a victory that earned him a promised ₦50m reward from businessman Emeka “E-Money” Okonkwo.
The event will be broadcast live on SuperSport and DAZN, with Bet9ja serving as the event’s presenting partner.
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