Nigerian singer Portable has issued a bold public challenge to former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, stating he is willing to fight the boxing star for a purse of ₦1 billion. The challenge, which has circulated widely on social media, was amplified after ESPN Africa shared footage of the entertainer making his demands on April 30, 2026.
“If they give me ₦1 billion, I’m ready to take you down, Anthony Joshua,” Portable said, as quoted by ESPN. The statement represents the most prominent name Portable has targeted in his ongoing campaign to establish himself within Nigeria’s celebrity boxing scene.
According to reports, Portable had previously been linked to a celebrity bout with rapper Speed Darlington, a matchup that had generated public interest in recent weeks. However, the singer has since shifted focus entirely, declaring that only a contest with Joshua is now worthy of his attention. The proposed fight with Speed Darlington, sources suggest, no longer holds any appeal for the entertainer.
Portable’s confidence in his ability to compete appears to be rooted in his celebrity boxing record. He has cited victories over Nollywood actor Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington as evidence of his fighting credentials. On the strength of those results, he has taken to describing himself as the “Face of Nigeria boxing” — a self-assigned title that has been met with widespread scepticism among fans and observers.
Most of the public reaction to Portable’s challenge has been one of amusement, with the majority of fans treating the proposed contest as entertainment rather than a serious sporting proposition. Joshua, one of the most recognisable figures in global boxing, has made no public response to the call-out.
Any consideration of a celebrity bout would also need to be weighed against Anthony Joshua’s current professional commitments and personal circumstances. The 36-year-old is reportedly focused on a planned November fight with Tyson Fury, a rematch that has been a long-anticipated event in the heavyweight division. Joshua’s preparation has also been complicated by a serious accident that, according to reports, claimed the lives of two of his close friends and raised concerns about his career trajectory.
Joshua, who held the IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight titles across two separate reigns, has not competed professionally since his February 2025 clash with Daniel Dubois. His potential fight with Fury would mark one of the most commercially significant heavyweight matchups in recent years, making a celebrity sideshow with Portable an unlikely priority for the former champion’s team.
Portable, born Habeeb Okikiola, has cultivated a reputation for controversy and unpredictability since rising to fame in Nigeria’s music industry. His foray into boxing-related publicity is consistent with a public persona built around provocation and headline-grabbing statements. Whether Joshua or his management team acknowledge the challenge at any point remains to be seen.
