Reality television personality Ijeoma Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has defeated Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday in what organisers described as Balmoral Promotions’ first female celebrity boxing contest.

The bout took place on Thursday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of Balmoral Promotions’ “Chaos in the Ring” series.

Phyna secured the victory after the referee stopped the contest in the fourth and final round when Nkechi Blessing was unable to continue.

Phyna controls early rounds

Phyna relied on speed and movement during the opening rounds, using her footwork to avoid several of Nkechi Blessing’s attacks.

The actress, meanwhile, adopted a more aggressive approach, moving forward and looking for opportunities to engage at close range.

The contest eventually ended in the fourth round after the referee intervened.

Phyna wins N50 million, car and championship belt

Following her victory, Phyna received a reported N50 million prize, a championship belt and a car.

Reacting to the result, the reality TV star described the victory as another significant milestone in her career.

She linked the date to her 2022 Big Brother Naija victory and said the boxing contest represented another opportunity to challenge herself.

Phyna also dedicated the achievement to women who have faced doubts about their abilities.

From reality television to boxing

Phyna became widely known after winning the seventh season of Big Brother Naija in 2022.

Following her celebrity boxing victory, she indicated that she was interested in exploring the sport beyond the exhibition contest.

She subsequently challenged Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia, who attended the event, to another celebrity boxing match.

Idemudia accepted the challenge, potentially paving the way for another women’s celebrity boxing contest.

Rivalry helped build interest in the bout

The Phyna-Nkechi Blessing contest followed several weeks of exchanges between the two entertainers during promotional activities.

Their public interactions generated attention ahead of the event and helped build anticipation for the match.

The contest was part of a wider entertainment and boxing programme staged for Balmoral Promotions’ Independence Day event.

Other celebrity and professional bouts

The event also featured a celebrity boxing contest involving content creator Carter Efe and rapper Speed Darlington.

Professional boxing matches were also included on the programme, bringing entertainment personalities and professional fighters together at the Lagos venue.

Background: Celebrity boxing in Nigeria

Celebrity boxing has increasingly become a crossover form of entertainment, combining elements of combat sports with the popularity of musicians, actors, influencers and reality television personalities.

Unlike professional boxing, celebrity bouts are generally promoted primarily as entertainment events, although participants still undergo training and compete under rules established by the organisers and officials.

The growing interest in such contests has created another platform for Nigerian entertainment personalities to engage their audiences outside their usual fields.

What happens next for Phyna?

Phyna’s victory could lead to further celebrity boxing appearances, particularly after her expressed interest in continuing with the sport.

Her challenge to Etinosa Idemudia also creates the possibility of another female celebrity bout, although a date, venue and official confirmation would be needed before such a contest can be treated as scheduled.