The long-awaited return of Ike Ibeabuchi created such a frenzy that the event’s official broadcaster, Prizefighting.tv, says its payment processor buckled under the pressure.
Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News, promoters revealed the massive global surge in pay-per-view buys was so extreme that the system’s fraud filters mistakenly flagged the wave of purchases as ‘suspicious activity.’
Demand beyond expectations
“There was so much demand for the PPV fight that the payment processor stopped processing the PPVs,” Prizefighting.tv told WBN.
“They indicated that it was such a massive increase in purchases in such a short amount of time from all over the world, they thought it was suspicious activity. Most people purchase shortly before the PPV begins.
“The demand was substantially more than our wildest dreams. We knew there would be demand, but we were not expecting that much demand for this PPV.
“We will be better prepared for the next one.”
A unique comeback story
The ‘President’ has been one of boxing’s most controversial heavyweights, with his return to the ring after more than two decades drawing in fans from every corner of the sport.
Ibeabuchi stopped cruiserweight Idris Afinni in three completed rounds and proceeded to call out champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The fact that demand reached a level capable of temporarily shutting down a global payment system underscores just how much intrigue surrounds his comeback.
WBN understands Ibeabuchi won’t be hanging around when it comes to securing his next bout, as time firmly isn’t on his side.
Lessons learned for the next event
While the surge caused headaches for fans attempting to secure access on fight night, the broadcaster insists it has already adjusted its infrastructure to ensure the issue won’t repeat.
For a fighter who last boxed in the 1990s, the numbers prove that Ibeabuchi’s name still moves the needle in 2025, perhaps more than even his own team dared to believe.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.