Nigerian rapper and entertainer Speed Darlington has challenged Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy to a boxing match, boasting that the “Last Last” hitmaker would not be able to defeat him in the ring.
Speed Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Okoye, made the remarks during a recent interview with Hip TV. He said he was willing to put up a huge sum of money if Burna Boy accepted the challenge.
“I challenge Burna Boy to fight me. I will drop a huge sum just to fight him. I want to fight him. I will beat him. He’s all hype. He can’t beat me. Just because some people like his music doesn’t mean he can beat me. I am challenging him,” he said.
The comments have drawn attention because of the pair’s long-running public feud and Speed Darlington’s growing involvement in Nigeria’s celebrity boxing scene.
Speed Darlington says Burna Boy cannot beat him
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During the interview, Speed Darlington expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Burna Boy in a physical contest.
He argued that the singer’s popularity and musical success should not be mistaken for boxing ability.
The rapper also said he was prepared to put up a substantial amount of money to make the proposed fight happen.
However, he did not announce a confirmed date, venue or formal agreement for the contest. Burna Boy has also not publicly accepted the challenge in the reports available.
For now, the proposed bout remains a challenge issued by Speed Darlington rather than an officially arranged boxing match.
Challenge renews attention on their long-running feud
The call-out comes against the background of a public dispute between the two entertainers that intensified in late 2024.
Speed Darlington previously made online comments about Burna Boy’s relationship with American music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs and questioned aspects of the singer’s Grammy-winning album Twice as Tall.
The disagreement escalated, and Burna Boy reportedly petitioned the police. Speed Darlington was subsequently arrested in connection with allegations including defamation and cyberstalking, which he denied.
His detention and release became major topics of discussion online, while the dispute continued through social media exchanges and music.
Speed Darlington later released a diss track titled “Baby Oil,” directed at Burna Boy.
The latest boxing challenge has brought the rivalry back into the spotlight, although neither entertainer has confirmed that they are preparing for a fight against each other.
Speed Darlington is preparing for another celebrity boxing bout
Speed Darlington’s challenge to Burna Boy comes as he prepares for a separate celebrity boxing contest against content creator Carter Efe.
The pair are scheduled to face each other on October 1, 2026, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of the “Chaos in the Ring” event. The contest is expected to be streamed live on DAZN, according to event reports.
The upcoming fight follows Speed Darlington’s previous boxing appearance against singer Portable in 2025, which ended in a technical knockout after Darlington did not return for the second round.
Carter Efe, meanwhile, enters the contest after defeating Portable by unanimous decision in May 2026.
The October bout is therefore a confirmed contest, unlike the proposed fight with Burna Boy.
Celebrity boxing continues to attract attention
Celebrity boxing has become a growing attraction in Nigeria, with entertainers turning public rivalries into staged contests that combine sport and entertainment.
The events often draw attention through press conferences, face-offs and social media exchanges in the weeks before the fights.
Speed Darlington’s latest challenge fits into that wider trend, particularly as he continues to make headlines with his outspoken comments and upcoming contest against Carter Efe.
Whether Burna Boy will respond to the challenge remains uncertain.
No fight agreement announced
Although Speed Darlington has publicly expressed his willingness to fight Burna Boy and offered to put up a large sum, no official agreement between the two has been announced.
There are currently no confirmed details about a venue, date, rules or promoter for a possible bout.
Until either entertainer or an event organiser confirms an arrangement, the challenge should be understood as a public call-out.
For now, Speed Darlington’s attention is also on his scheduled October 1 contest against Carter Efe, while fans wait to see whether Burna Boy will respond to the latest challenge.
