boxing

Big Brother Naija winner, Phyna, has celebrated the fourth anniversary of her reality TV victory after making history as the winner of Nigeria’s first female celebrity boxing bout. Phyna, whose real name is Ijeoma Otabor, won the seventh season of Big Brother Naija, Level Up, on October 2, 2022. Four years later, she marked the anniversary with another major victory after defeating Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing by knockout. Reflecting on both milestones in a post shared on Friday, Phyna wrote, “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.” The boxing victory came during Balmoral Promotions’ Chaos in the Ring event at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday. Phyna said her transition from reality television to boxing reflected her determination to challenge herself and break barriers. “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,” she wrote. “This one is for every woman who has ever been told she couldn’t. We can. We will. And we absolutely should.” She thanked Balmoral Promotions and Bet9ja for the opportunity, describing October 2 as “a date of victory, courage and new beginnings.” Phyna reportedly received ₦50 million for winning the bout and has indicated plans to pursue professional boxing, suggesting that her victory could mark the beginning of a new career in the sport. Following the fight, she named Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia as a potential next opponent, alleging that the actress had been disturbing her through direct messages. “I came in, and I kept my cool and did the thing. Now I would like to fight Etinosa. I think it is time I teach her a lesson,” Phyna said after the bout. Etinosa, who watched the fight from ringside, accepted the challenge, saying, “I have been advising you to carry the Edo name with pride. We do not run from any fight. I accept the challenge fully.” Phyna’s victory came on the same night skit maker Carter Efe defeated musician Speed Darlington by technical knockout in their four-round celebrity bout. The event also featured professional boxing, with Ghana’s Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah defeating Nigerian champion Godday “Zodsolo” Appah by unanimous decision to win the WBO African Light Heavyweight Continental Championship.