By Jason Kim: Former heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi (20-0, 15 KO’s) will have his next parole date on May 1, 2012, after having previously been denied parole on three separate occasions in August 2004, August 2007 and February 2009 for the charge of attempted sexual assault.
Ibeabuchi has already been paroled on the first charge that he had on him – battery with intent to commit crime – back in 2001. However, the other charge has kept Ibeabuchi in prison for a very long stretch of time.
If Ibeabuchi is paroled in his next hearing in May 2012, he’ll 39-years-old and still young enough to continue his boxing career. To be sure, it might be tough for him to resume the dominance he had before going to prison given that he will have been out of the ring for 13 years since 1999.
But we’ve seen other powerful heavyweights like George Foreman comeback after a similar lengthy time away from the ring and find success at the same age that Ibeabuchi will be. He might have to lose some weight, as Ibeabuchi looked slightly overweight in the last photo I saw of him.
However, that shouldn’t be any problem for him because he’s got one of those physiques where he’s just naturally powerful. I think he could quickly become a factor in the heavyweight division if they release him early next year.
There’s talk that Ibeabuchi may be deported upon his release and sent back to Nigeria. However, he can still get back into training and resume his career fighting and traveling. In think he’d be perfect for Germany or maybe Canada. Both of those countries like to adopt fighters from other countries, and I think Ibeabuchi would be a good fit.
Ibeabuchi is remembered for his 5th round destruction of a prime Chris Byrd, as well as his war with David Tua in 1997 where Ibeabuchi stood in front of Tua for 12 rounds trading shot for shot and winning a 12 round decision.
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