Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing and Big Brother Naija winner Phyna have stopped pretending this is just another celebrity stunt. In separate Broadway TV interviews circulating on Instagram, both women said the October 1 boxing date is personal, and both promised pain.
The bout, billed as Phyna vs Nkechi under Balmoral Group Promotions’ Chaos in the Ring series, is set for the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. Organisers say it will air live on DAZN and SuperSport. Previous editions of the series have featured Portable, Charles Okocha, Speed Darlington and Carter Efe. This one moved from Instagram insults to a ring in less than a week.
Read “I’ll Beat You Like a Thief!” — Phyna, Nkechi Blessing Set for Boxing Bout
Asked whether the fight was entertainment or something heavier, Nkechi did not soften it.
“It is personal now. It is beyond entertainment, trust me. It’s not child’s play.”
Then the host asked what crosses her mind when she looks at Phyna. The actress laughed and went for the throat.
“That she should just die. To beat her to stupor.”
She said the only thing that would worry her is juju.
“Only if she goes to do get charms from Benin because they have charms in their side. Apologies to my Edo people, I love you guys so much. But then, there’s nothing stopping her from doing that. Whatever she’s coming with, I have God.”
Nkechi, who publicly reminded Phyna that she is 37 and “not your mate,” framed the clash as fearless woman against fearless woman.
“Everybody knows I’m fearless. I speak my mind and that’s why I don’t have many friends so I and Phyna can go tit for tat.”
She added that she is training to fight Phyna the person, not a polished celebrity mask.
“I am preparing to fight Phyna. The one who says she wants to become a pro-boxer after this fight so they won’t give her any qualifications because I’ll beat her.”
If they stood face to face today, she said the line would be simple.
“‘I will beat you,’ with the softest voice.”
Under the trash talk sat a quieter reason. Nkechi lost her mother, Gloria Obasi Sunday, in 2021. She said this fight is for more than clout.
“I want to win so that my mother in heaven will be proud of me. I’ve always been in my shell. I’ve had a lot of opportunities to do things that’s put me out there asides from acting, but then I think this is one of my major things I’d ever do to make myself and my family members proud.”
Phyna, born Josephina Otabor, answered in the same register. No fear. No extra rounds, she claimed.
“Nkechi doesn’t need to watch her back. I’ll beat her like a child. All her face will be swollen. I’m not even trying to brag. I am 100 confident that I’ll beat her. I believe the game will be over in the first round. We don’t need the extra rounds because it’ll end in a first round knockout. My biggest advantage is I’m faster than her and I’m younger and stronger.”
The feud started on September 17, when Nkechi posted a video scolding Phyna for constant online fights and asking whether she had elders at home. Phyna fired back that they were not friends, called her “grandma,” and said their only real contact was a movie invitation that collapsed after she replied late.
Read “Nuisance!” “Grandma!” — Nkechi Blessing, Phyna Clash over Role
By September 18, Balmoral had put them on a poster in boxing gear. Phyna’s caption was already a threat: she would beat Nkechi “like who thief.” Nkechi told fans to put their money on her.