‘We were choking’: Stampede, tear gas and army called in - Portsmouth ace relives drama
The Portsmouth boxing favourite was caught up in riotous scenes in Nigeria.
Michael McKinson has relived his wild Nigerian experience after surviving a chaotic return to the ring.
The Pompey Problem told how he was caught up in bedlam in Lagos last week, as he made a winning comeback after a 503 day lay-off.
McKinson: ‘We knew we had to get out of there - we were choking’
McKinson picked up a clear eight-round points victory over late replacement Afikun Segun Gbenga, despite giving away a significant amount of weight to an opponent who never weighed in for their contest.
That was a bizarre scenario but paled against what developed at the Balmoral Convention Center, on a televised show featuring two of the country’s most high-profile celebrities - influencer Carter Efe and rapper Portable.
Minutes after McKinson’s contest the show was halted as locals attempted to gain access to the event, with armed security staff letting off tear gas canisters.
Windows were smashed with McKinson and his team taking cover in a changing area outside of the arena as the show was halted for a lengthy period.
The former Heart of Portsmouth and Moneyfields amateur was then given an escort back to his hotel, as the army were called in to gain some semblance of control.
That was not the end of the drama, however, as thousands surrounded McKinson’s accomodation throughout the night in scenes the welterweight branded ‘mental’.
Despite that, the 27-2 insisted he loved his African adventure and another wild chapter in his career.
McKinson said: ‘Going to Nigeria is certainly an experience I’ll never, ever forget - for good and bad! Wow.
‘I loved embracing the culture, going out into the city and mixing with all of the Nigerian people. That was brilliant.
‘It was stressful with the change of the opponent and all the events around that. I didn’t even know what my opponent looked like until I got in the ring with him! He turned up 45 minutes before and they didn’t even weigh him, but I stayed professional and got on with it.
‘It was afterwards that everything happened. The main event was a rapper and an influencer - and they are massive so there were huge crowds.
‘The armed security weren’t able to control all of the people trying to pile in - they were going crazy for the fight. So the tear gas came out and windows were smashed as people tried to get in.
‘I was in the main room and everyone was choking - then it hit me and my brother. It was horrific, we knew we had to get out of there straightaway - we were choking.
‘The whole show was halted for around one-and-a-half hours. Our hotel was opposite the venue but there was no way we could get out, so we had armed security and the army to escort us back.
‘But even at 1am and 2am in the morning there was around 1,000 people trying to get into the hotel. There were people and cars everywhere - it was like it for most of the night.
‘It’s been a crazy period and one I’d never forget. I guess a Michael McKinson fight week without drama doesn’t exist!’
After shaking off the ring rust and taking a unanimous decision win over Gbenga, McKinson is now looking to stay busy and build on the momentum in his career once again.
He added: ‘I’ve been out of the ring for 503 days, so it was a valuable eight rounds and it puts my name back in the mix.
‘It wasn’t the greatest performance from me and there was ring rust there, but I won every round and with everything that happened I’m happy overall.
‘Now I want to get back out - I’d fight again next month if the chance came up: I’m ready to go.’