Ike Ibeabuchi has unfinished business in the heavyweight division
After over 26 years out of the ring, former heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi (21-0, 16 KOs) made a dramatic return to the ring, stopping fellow Nigerian Idris Affini (18-8, 15 KOs) after three rounds.
Back in the 90s, Ibeabuchi was a feared contender, with impressive wins over the likes of David Tua and Chris Byrd.
However, when an eventual title shot seemed inevitable, the Nigerian’s career was cut short following a major run-in with the police in Las Vegas.
In 1999, the 52-year-old was arrested attempting to take a Las Vegas call girl hostage, serving 16 years for battery with intent, attempted sexual assault, and parole violations.
Despite an ageing body and 26 years of ring rust, the undefeated boxer returned with a bang on Saturday, showcasing that he has held onto his fearsome punching power.
Ibeabuchi walked his opponent down for three rounds, suffocating and trapping the far younger man. Little danger was coming back his way, and ‘The President’ ramped things up in the third, throwing a barrage of heavy punches that saw Affini rocked.
Following the third, Affini retired on his stool, and Ibeabuchi’s romantic ring return was complete.
Speaking in a post-fight interview, the former contender wasted no time in revealing his grandiose plans for his return to heavyweight boxing.
“I want to fight Usyk, the champion. I am 21-0, 16 knockouts, why can’t he fight me? I broke the top 10 before then. If Usyk wants me to fight more, I will fight more. I love to fight. But I want him before time elapses. I want Usyk.”
It has to be assumed that the ageing fighter will have to get some more rounds under his belt before he is deserving of a title shot, as Affini is not ranked by any of the major sanctioning bodies.
Usyk will also likely be tied up for the next year, with the pound-for-pound king coming off the back of a dominant win over Daniel Dubois to be crowned undisputed champion once again, and both Agit Kabayel and Joseph Parker eyeing a title shot.
He is not a proven opponent by any means, and in the eyes of the majority – Ibeabuchi will need to prove himself as a legitimate contender a quarter century after he did it the first time.
If he is truly serious about contending for a heavyweight title, he’d better get a move on – at 52 years old, he can’t have much left in the tank.