Cross Okonkwo’s suggestion of a celebrity boxing match between Venita Akpofure and Phyna has drawn a sharp response from Venita.
The former Big Brother Naija housemate reacted after Cross took to social media to ask whether she would be interested in facing Phyna, the Level Up winner, in the boxing ring. He described the two reality stars as strong women and said he would gladly pay to watch such a match.
“Venita Akpofure, would you like to fight Phyna? Two strong women. I will definitely pay anything to watch this boxing ring,” Cross wrote.
Venita was not impressed by the suggestion. In her reply, she told Cross that if he was interested in watching a woman get punched, he should allow his wife to enter a boxing ring instead.
“If you suddenly have an appetite to see a woman being punched, please send your wife into a boxing ring,” she responded.
Cross later clarified that he had only been joking with her, noting that they were familiar with each other.
“Lol, we are not strangers. I dey play with you,” he said.
The exchange came shortly after Phyna publicly accused socialite Ashmusy of attempting to interfere with a multimillion naira celebrity boxing deal. According to Phyna, a boxing promotion company contacted her about participating in a celebrity bout and asked her to suggest possible opponents. She said she recommended Ashmusy.
Phyna, however, alleged that Ashmusy later contacted the organisers and asked them to take her name off the deal. Ashmusy has denied the claim, maintaining that she never requested Phyna’s removal or wished for her to lose the opportunity.
Cross has also been enjoying a memorable first year of marriage with his wife, Chinonso. Last month, he shared moments from a birthday surprise she organised for him at their home, complete with flowers, balloons, dinner and gifts.
The reality star appeared touched by the gesture as he reflected on his first birthday as a married man. He said he was beginning to understand how enjoyable marriage could be and expressed optimism about the future.
Cross proposed to Chinonso in October 2025. Videos from the romantic moment showed him going down on one knee as she accepted his proposal. Afterwards, he pledged to love her today, tomorrow and forever, while thanking God for bringing her into his life.
The couple had their court wedding on February 23 and later introduced themselves publicly as Mr and Mrs Okonkwo. Cross shared photos from the ceremony and expressed gratitude to God as they began their journey as husband and wife.
On April 25, the couple held their traditional wedding ceremony in Abuja, surrounded by family members, friends and colleagues. Pastor Jerry Eze officiated the event, which attracted several familiar faces from the Big Brother Naija community.
Erica Nlewedim, Liquorose, Beauty Tukura, Niyi and Whitemoney were among the groomsmen, while Queen Mercy, Boma, Neo Akpofure and Maria were also seen at the celebration.
The newlyweds later made their first public appearance at Pastor Jerry Eze’s Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony, where they were seen on stage paying their respects to the clergyman and his wife.
