Phyna says strategy, not strength, secured celebrity boxing win

Big Brother Naija season seven winner Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has said tactical thinking helped her defeat actress Nkechi Blessing in a celebrity boxing bout in Lagos. Phyna knocked out Nkechi during the first female celebrity boxing contest at the “Chaos in the Ring” event on Wednesday, October 1, 2026. She discussed the fight in an interview with comedian Egungun, published in a video on Saturday.

According to Phyna, she recognised that Nkechi was physically larger and decided against trying to match her opponent’s strength. She said she relied on what she described as logic and wisdom instead of anger. Phyna said she had trained for only 10 days, during which her coach helped her develop her boxing skills.

She added that her plan changed once the fight began because Nkechi was not holding her hands in what she considered a conventional boxing stance. The reality star said this led her to believe that Nkechi intended to fight in a street-fight style. She said her coach repeatedly told her to keep moving, prompting her to study Nkechi’s movements and adopt a different strategy during the bout.

Phyna also said she had promised to make her opponent move around the ring and described herself as having fun before the contest ended quickly. However, she ruled out a rematch, saying she did not want to disrespect Nkechi. Asked which other celebrity she might fight, Phyna named former housemate Wathoni Anyansi and actress Etinosa Idemudia.

Nkechi later said she wanted to return to acting and noted that she was not a professional boxer. The event also featured Carter Efe’s victory over Speed Darlington.