Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday has declared that she is ready to return her attention to filmmaking after making her celebrity boxing debut against reality television star Phyna in Lagos.
Blessing made the remarks on Friday, October 2, following her fourth round knockout defeat to the former Big Brother Naija winner at Balmoral Promotions’ Chaos in the Ring event at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.
Reacting to the outcome through her Instagram page, the actress maintained a defiant tone despite losing the contest, describing herself as a champion regardless of the result.
“Still a CHAMPION regardless of the result… even the blind knows who the winner is,” she wrote.
Blessing then appeared to draw a line under her boxing experiment, adding, “Now let’s go back to making movies cus I no be boxer.”
Her comments came hours after Phyna stopped her in the fourth and final round of their scheduled celebrity bout. The contest was the first female celebrity boxing bout organised under Balmoral Promotions’ Chaos in the Ring series.
The fight marked an unusual departure for Blessing, who is better known for her work in Nollywood than for competitive sport. Ahead of the event, the actress and Phyna had been involved in a highly publicised dispute that eventually moved from social media and public appearances into the boxing ring.
Their disagreement reportedly began after discussions surrounding a possible movie project. The situation escalated after the two entertainers exchanged accusations publicly on social media before Balmoral Promotions announced their proposed boxing contest.
The tension between the women continued throughout the build-up to the fight. Their exchanges attracted attention during promotional appearances, including their press conference and face-off in Lagos, where their confrontation required intervention from security personnel.
Inside the ring, Phyna and Blessing completed three rounds before the contest was decided in the fourth. Phyna had entered the fight saying she intended to remain patient before increasing her pressure in the closing stages.
According to reports, Blessing continued to move forward during the bout, while Phyna relied on her movement and speed. The decisive moment came in the fourth round when Phyna landed a punch that sent Blessing to the canvas. The actress was unable to beat the referee’s count, resulting in a knockout victory for Phyna.
Phyna was subsequently presented with a ₦50 million prize, a championship belt and a new car, according to reports on the event.
Despite the defeat, Blessing said she was proud of herself for accepting the challenge. In a separate Instagram post, the actress revealed that she had trained for only two days before entering the ring.
“Will I do this again? OH YES,” she wrote, indicating that her experience had not completely ruled out another appearance in the sport.
Blessing explained that she had never previously raised her hands to fight anyone but found the courage to step onto an unfamiliar stage and compete.
She also dedicated the experience to her late mother, Gloria Obasi Sunday. According to the actress, she wanted her mother to be present in spirit and specifically requested that her mother’s favourite song be played before she entered the ring.
“Mummy were you watching?” Blessing wrote while reflecting on the emotional significance of the moment. She also thanked Balmoral Promotions and Bet9ja for giving her the opportunity to participate in the event.
While Blessing appears ready to return to acting, her comments leave open the possibility of another boxing appearance. Her statement that she would do it again suggests that the defeat has not completely discouraged her from stepping into the ring.
Phyna, meanwhile, has indicated that she could continue with boxing after her victory. Immediately after defeating Blessing, the reality star called out actress Etinosa Idemudia, who was present at ringside and accepted the challenge.
The celebrity boxing event also featured a bout between skit maker Carter Efe and entertainer Speed Darlington, while Ghanaian boxer Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah defeated Nigeria’s Godday “Zodsolo” Appah in the professional main event.
For Blessing, however, the experience has provided a new chapter outside Nollywood, even if only temporarily. After weeks of public exchanges with Phyna and the intense build-up to the contest, the actress now appears ready to put the boxing gloves aside and return to the profession that established her as one of Nigeria’s recognisable screen personalities.
Her defeat may have ended her first celebrity boxing contest, but her willingness to consider another fight shows that the experience has not entirely closed the door on a return to the ring.
