Phyna celebrates BBNaija win anniversary after making boxing history - Punch Newspapers
Ijeoma Otabor aka Phyna. Photo credit: Phyna | Instagram
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, the reality star marked the anniversary after defeating Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing by knockout. Chaos in the Ring Celebrity Championship Belt. Photo credit: Phyna Reflecting on the two 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 victory came during Balmoral Promotions’ Chaos in the Ring event at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google The former reality star said her transition from reality television to boxing was part of 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.” Phyna thanked Balmoral Promotions and Bet9ja for the opportunity, describing October 2 as “a date of victory, courage and new beginnings.” She also received ₦50m as the winner of the historic bout and said she intends to pursue professional boxing, suggesting her victory over Nkechi could mark the start of a longer career in the sport. Following the fight, Phyna named Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia as her next potential opponent, accusing her of 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 claim the WBO African Light Heavyweight Continental Championship. Christabel Ndoeche
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