Ike Ibeabuchi returned to the ring after almost 30 years on the sidelines this summer.
The undefeated 52-year-old heavyweight (21-0) was a highly touted contender in the 1990s.Â
Ike Ibeabuchi was on the verge of a world title shot before he was convicted of attempted sexual assault and battery.
The Nigerian served a 16-year sentence before his release in 2014. Since then, he’s continued to find himself on the wrong side of the law and has had more prison stints – but he’s been a free man since 2020.
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Ike Ibeabuchi finally loses
Ike Ibeabuchi fought fellow Nigerian Idris Afinni (18-9-2) at Lagos’ Teslim Balogun Stadium in August.
The former contender improved his record to 21-0 with a third-round stoppage victory over Afinni.
“I want to fight [Oleksandr] Usyk, the champion,” Ibeabuchi said post-fight
“I am 21-0, 16 knockouts, why can’t he fight me?
“I broke the top ten 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.”
On Christmas Eve, Ibeabuchi’s bid to fight boxing’s best heavyweight took a major setback.
‘President’ dropped a unanimous decision when he fought 45-year-old Kabiru Towolawi.
The scores were 117-111, 115-113, and 115-114, all for Towolawi, who now boasts a 27-16 boxing record.
Who is the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time?
Oleksandr Usyk’s next fight
Oleksandr Usyk hasn’t fought since knocking out Daniel Dubois for a second time in August.
The two-time undisputed heavyweight champion has since been stripped of his WBO title.
With Ike Ibeabuchi officially out of contention, who will Usyk defend the rest of his belts against next?
“I want to fight Deontay Wilder,” he said earlier this month.
How would Deontay Wilder do against Oleksandr Usyk if they fight in 2026?
The 40-year-old former heavyweight world champion has looked way past his peak in recent fights.
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“I think it’s interesting.
“This is a world champion guy, this is a very famous guy, this is a strong guy.
“He is one of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years.”
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