Ike Ibeabuchi Returns After 26 Years, Calls Out Usyk

On the night of August 24 at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria, 52-year-old Nigerian heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi (21-0, 16 KOs) stepped into the ring for the first time since 1999, facing his 40-year-old countryman Idris Afinni (18-9-2, 15 KOs).

The fight ended in a stoppage victory for Ibeabuchi, as Afinni retired after the third round.

Following the win, Ibeabuchi issued a challenge to Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs).

Ibeabuchi, nicknamed “The President”, saw his career derailed in 1999 when he was sentenced on charges of assault with intent to commit a crime and attempted sexual assault. He was released in 2015, re-incarcerated in 2016, and finally freed in 2020.

Photo: Fight Gist media