The world of celebrity boxing witnessed an unexpected turn of events in Nashville on Sunday night when 48-year-old controversial influencer Charleston White stepped into the ring despite having vision in only one eye, ultimately forcing Island Boys rapper Kodiyakredd to quit mid-fight.
The bout, part of Adin Ross’s Brand Risk Promotions series, marked a significant departure from the usual Miami warehouse venue. The relocation to Tennessee became necessary after White couldn’t secure sanctioning in Florida due to his visual disability – a condition that makes his boxing participation all the more remarkable.
Kodiyakredd, whose real name is Franky Venegas, entered the contest already struggling with an 0-2 record. The 23-year-old had previously lost a sibling rivalry match against his brother and suffered a debut defeat while UFC president Dana White observed from ringside. This latest setback extended his losing streak to an unfortunate 0-3.
The early moments suggested the younger competitor might leverage his age advantage and previous ring experience. However, the tide turned dramatically in the second round when White landed what would prove to be the decisive blow. The impact visibly stunned Kodiyakredd, who immediately retreated to a corner and informed the referee of his decision to withdraw from the contest.
“It was a good fight, I feel like I hit too much nicotine, I smoked too much weed and I gassed out,” Kodiyakredd explained afterward, attributing his poor performance to pre-bout substance use that affected his stamina.
The victorious White, despite his age and physical limitations, appeared energized by the outcome. His corner included notable figures like Milton Lacroix, who previously coached Shannon Briggs and Logan Paul. When asked about his post-victory feelings, White responded colorfully: “Like a young n—– with a new body, yeah. I’m a m–, this is a contact sport and I ain’t with taking punches and giving punches, I call the police on motherf—ers who throw punches.”
Perhaps most surprisingly, White indicated his intention to continue competing despite obvious health considerations and his advanced age for the sport. When confronted about critics who doubted he would ever actually compete, he simply stated: “Sign up for the next fight.”
The unusual matchup highlighted the evolving landscape of influencer boxing, where traditional athletic considerations often take a backseat to entertainment value and social media presence. White’s victory, achieved with a significant physical disadvantage, adds an intriguing chapter to this unconventional sporting phenomenon.
For Kodiyakredd, the defeat represents another setback in what has become a challenging transition from music to combat sports, raising questions about his future in the ring given his current winless record.
