News Investigators/ Reality TV personality, Ijeoma Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has defeated Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing Sunday, in the first female celebrity boxing bout organised under Balmoral Promotions’ “Chaos in the Ring” series.
Phyna stopped Nkechi in the fourth and final round of the contest held on Thursday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The bout formed part of Balmoral Promotions’ Independence Day event, which brought together entertainment personalities and professional boxers.
Phyna used her speed and movement to evade Nkechi Blessing’s attacks in the early rounds, while the actress pressed forward in search of close-range exchanges.
The referee stopped the contest after Nkechi Blessing was unable to continue.
Phyna received N50 million, a championship belt and a car as prizes for winning the bout.
Phyna who reacting to her win said: “October 2nd will forever be a special date in my life.
Today marks the anniversary of the day I won BBN, and now, years later, I’m celebrating another historic victory becoming the first female boxer to step into this ring and win this fight.
From reality TV to the boxing ring, I’ve always been willing to challenge myself, break barriers and prove that there is so much more to Phyna than what people see.
This one is for every woman who has ever been told she couldnt. We can, We will and we absolutely should”.
Phyna, who won the seventh season of the Big Brother Naija reality television show in 2022, later expressed interest in pursuing boxing beyond the celebrity contest.
She also challenged Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia, who was present at the venue, to another celebrity boxing bout.
Idemudia accepted the challenge, raising the possibility of another female celebrity boxing contest under the promotion.
The bout followed weeks of exchanges between Phyna and Nkechi Blessing, including heated moments during promotional activities ahead of the event.
The event also featured a celebrity boxing bout between content creator Carter Efe and rapper Speed Darlington, as well as professional boxing contests.
NAN
