By Gav Duthie:
Ike ‘The President’ Ibeabuchi 20-0 (15)
At 41 years of age Ike still has time to make a comeback in boxing,’The President’ from Nigeria has been in jail since 1999 and denied parole no less than 5 times. His best victory came against former World Champion Chris Byrd in early 1999 where he destroyed the slick heavyweight in 5 rounds. Byrd didn’t really know where he was after the contest after being pummeled against the ropes.
A couple of years earlier he fought big punching Kiwi David Tua in what is widely regarded as one of the best heavyweight fights of all time. Both fighters threw bombs the entire night and were immovable objects. Ibeabuchi slightly outworked Tua over the course of the bout and won by decision.
The fight with Byrd turned out to be his last. ‘The President’ often claimed to be plagued by demons and was twice man handled onto aircraft’s as he claimed demons would hurt him on the plane. Apparently, according to boxrec, during negotiations for a big fight he brandished a knife in an upmarket restaurant whilst meeting promoters to get what he wanted. His mental issues drove him to a very serious sexual assault in July 1999. Whilst staying at the Mirage hotel he phoned a local escort service and began to get physical with the girl with several witnesses confirming they heard the incident. As a result of this high profile case others came to the fore and Ibeabuchi was eventually convicted of four different counts of sexual assaults against different woman.
Where is he?
He was due another parole in April 2014 some reports said he was released others said he was moved to another prison. Fact is he is not in the boxing ring and I don’t imagine he ever will be. In 1999 after his win against Byrd, he would have been lined up for big fights against the likes of Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield and I wouldn’t have bet against him.
Where would he be now?
He looked to have everything he could box, he had power and a solid chin. Would have been the next Mike Tyson or would he have been closer to compatriot Sam Peter. I really think he could have been world title material. I doubt he would have beaten the likes of Lennox Lewis but there were champions like Hasim Rahman, Kirk Johnson, John Ruiz and Shannon Briggs that he would have likely bested. Ultimately though given his background it was inevitable that he would be arrested for something down the line and we are unlikely to ever see him fight again.
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