Celebrity boxing is gaining momentum in Nigeria, with reported payouts of up to ₦50m for high-profile entertainers raising questions about fairness, professional boxers’ earnings and the sport’s future.
The trend was on display at the October 1 edition of Chaos in the Ring at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Lagos. Although Ghanaian boxer Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah defeated Nigeria’s Godday “Zodsolo” Appah to win the WBO African Light Heavyweight Continental title, celebrity bouts attracted much of the attention.
Skit maker Carter Efe defeated rapper Speed Darlington, while Big Brother Naija winner Phyna reportedly knocked out actress Nkechi Blessing, earning a ₦50m reward from Worldstreet.
The payout followed a similar reward for Carter Efe, who beat singer Portable on May 1. Portable later claimed he received ₦50m for lasting one round, with a higher reward reportedly promised if he continued into the second.
The celebrity boxing phenomenon has also spread online, with singers Teni and Tiwa Savage exchanging challenges over a proposed ₦1.5bn fight purse. However, no official date or agreement has been announced.
For professional boxers, the financial disparity has become a source of frustration. Former Universal Boxing Organisation champion Rasheed Idowu said entertainers appeared to receive greater financial recognition despite the risks and years of training professional fighters endure.
He acknowledged, however, that boxers must build their public profiles and social media presence to attract better opportunities.
National champion Bolatito “Black Tito” Oluwole also argued that promoters must approach celebrity boxing as a business, noting that entertainers often draw audiences specifically to watch them.
While celebrity bouts are attracting attention and sponsorship, the challenge for Nigerian boxing is to ensure the commercial boom also creates better opportunities and fairer rewards for professional fighters.
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