By Gerardo Granados: Weeks ago, I read that former heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi was released from prison after having served 15 years out of a 30 years sentence for sexual assault. That by itself, might not surprise the reader, to know that a boxer was incarcerated and after been released he would intend to come back into the ring cannot be new. But, maybe the reader doesn’t know the story behind the “President” Ike Ibeabuchi incarceration.
I asked a friend his opinion on the subject and his answer was clear “who is he”? I told him Ike was about to turn 43 years old and was planning a comeback to the ring, so he replied, “if he is physically fit and is properly match why not”.
Maybe young fight fans haven’t heard of the President mental issues, perhaps the ones who do remember him agree with my friend opinion, but for sure someone should protect Ibeabuchi this time around.
I´ll quote BOXREC.com site on the next paragraph: “Ibeabuchi developed a new persona based on his nickname, ‘The President’. Lou Dibella said ‘He would get into these mental states where he insisted on people calling him The President. It was his alter ago, where ‘I am The President,’ not of the United States, but maybe the world.”
If his manager, promoter, TV Network executives and sanctioning boxing organizations knew about his condition, and no one did the right thing, then it is possible that this time around the story might repeat itself.
I want to be fair to Ibeabuchi, but to be physically fit to pass the Boxing Commissions medical exams might not be enough for me. It´s possible that Ike might need money, but at this time, his health at almost 43 years of age is a priority.
It was reported that Ibeabuchi earned two Associate’s degrees while in prison; that means he is a smart guy and also that he is capable of doing many things to earn a living.
It is good to hear that Ike was released from prison, but not so hearing he intends to make a comeback after such long layoff at his age. The reader must remember the recent case of Donovan Razor Ruddock who came back in 2015 after a 14-year layoff at 52 years of age. He won two bouts against unknown journeymen and finally was knocked out in 3 rounds by Dillon Carman (W8-L2-D0).
What I find most shocking, is to hear that Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum is considering having Ibeabuchi fight against young 26 years old heavyweight puncher Andy Ruiz on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao versus Tim Bradley next April. Instead of thinking of properly match Ike according to his actual condition, he is being considered as an option for currently ranked # 11 WBC, #11 IBF and #8 WBO young hungry lion.
It is true Ibeabuchi was a solid contender back in 1999, but that’s about it; he never was a top pound for pound boxer or achieved anything more than defeating Chris Byrd and David Tua. He has been away for too long and now you cannot expect him to be the one he used to be seventeen years ago.
Corporate Boxing doesn’t care as much about prize fighters as it does for revenues, but maybe we the fight fans should let boxing organizations, managers, promoters and TV executives know our take on this issue. Sometimes fighters need to be protected from their self and we cannot depend on Corporate Boxing to do the right thing.
I think someone should protect Ibeabuchi from taking unnecessary risks. After all, at the heavyweight division, a single punch can finish more than just a fight. But, do the readers agree?
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