Ike Ibeabuchi Returns to the Ring After Almost Three Decades

More than 26 years after his last professional fight, Nigerian heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi has returned to the ring. Now 52 years old, the once-feared contender stepped back through the ropes at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos and defeated compatriot Idris Affinni in a fight that was as surreal as it was historic. Affini, aged 40, has 18 wins on his record. Yet he had to retire after three rounds when he was unable to withstand Ibeabuchi’s punches.

A comeback no one expected

Fight fans who witnessed the event experienced nostalgia and disbelief. Ibeabuchi was seen as a force to be reckoned with in the 1990s heavyweight rings, but disappeared from the sport after several criminal convictions and prison terms.

His record is still intact today at 21-0, and he is attempting a comeback. The recent fight in Lagos was streamed for $30, and as with most modern fights, speculation around the odds and outcome of the fight filtered through offshore online sportsbooks, where fans could weigh the risk of betting on a man who was returning after almost three decades away from the fight.

A promising boxer falling to disgrace

Inbeabuchi was considered one of the most dangerous men in the heavyweight division in the late 1990s. He famously outpointed the previously unbeaten Davit Tua and knocked out future champion Chris Byrd in 1999. His fights demonstrated a combination of physical power and relentless aggression, making him a nightmare opponent. However, outside the ring, his story was less inspiring.

The same year that he defeated Byrd, he was arrested in Las Vegas after allegedly assaulting a call girl. There was reportedly a series of unlawful incidents that included reckless endangerment and abduction. Ibeabuchi was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and deemed unfit to stand trial for a period. However, he eventually pleaded guilty to charges of battery with intent and attempted sexual assault. He was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and spent most of the following two decades behind bars.

He was deported back to Nigeria after his release in 2021. There were a couple of rumoured comeback attempts; however, they all fizzled out. That was until the fight against Afinni, which finally gave fans the answer to the question of whether “The President” will ever fight again.

The Lagos Fight

Despite his mature age and absence from boxing, Ibeabuchi was eager to get started as the opening bell chimed. Afinni initially kept his distance and only threw little jabs, while Ibeabuchi pressed forward with heavy punches that landed.

By the end of the third round, Afinni’s corner decided that he had taken enough of a beating and handed Ibeabuchi a technical stoppage victory.

It may not have been the polished performance of a prime fighter, but it was enough for Ibeabuchi and his fans. The Nigerian crowd cheered their approval for him and celebrated the return of a man that many of the younger individuals in the crowd had only heard stories about.

Chasing big names

Ibeabuchi has wasted no time in setting new ambitions. Immediately after winning, he called out the current undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk. “I want to fight Usyk, the champion”, he announced. “I am 21-0, 16 knockouts, why can’t he fight me?”

He also hinted at a desire to fight Tyson Fury in his future, once he gets a ranking.

Fans and promoters remain skeptical of his future in the ring. Boxing doesn’t forgive lost time, and three rounds against an aging opponent didn’t really prove that Ibeabuchi is ready for the elite level. But there is still intrigue surrounding this possibility. It appears that for Ibeabuchi, his dream of reclaiming his spot among the best fighters outweighs the realities of his age and three decades of inactivity at a professional level.