BOGEYMAN of the nineties turned 16-year convict, the life of Ike Ibeabuchi, 20-0 (15 KOs), has been long reported as a wild one, with the Nigerian’s promising heavyweight career becoming one of boxing’s greatest ‘what-ifs’ rather than a rags to riches success story.
After a quarter of a century away from the ring, many were thankful to see that the return of Ibeabuchi was cancelled last month. However, it appears as though ‘The President’ is determined to lace up the gloves once again, with a new fight date looming.
Ibeabuchi is regularly brought up in conversation as a potential rival to the likes of Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, with a famously entertaining defeat of David Tua in 1997 often serving as an example of the glory that Ibeabuchi could have potentially achieved. Still, the unbeaten African would never land a shot at the world title.
Instead, after knocking out eventual world champion Chris Byrd in five rounds in 1999, Ibeabuchi reportedly turned down lucrative contests against Jeremy Williams and Michael Grant while waiting for his chance to take on Lewis for the WBC crown.
Yet, in July of that year, Ibeabuchi was arrested and eventually sentenced to prison for battery with intent to commit a crime and attempted sexual assault after he trapped a Las Vegas stripper in his hotel room, leaving him imprisoned until his release in November 2015.
Just five months later, Ibeabuchi was back behind bars after violating the conditions of his probation, serving an additional four years.
Talks of a comeback had been mentioned on both occasions that Ibeabuchi was released from prison, but nothing materialised, understandably given his age and reportedly unstable mental well-being.
Nevertheless, November saw a Nigerian newspaper shockingly announce that the officially undefeated 51-year-old would return in a professional contest against 47-year-old Egyptian Farouk Abbas, 4-10-1 (1 KO).
That event was later cancelled due to a dispute between the promoters and organisers of the show, further extending Ibeabuchi’s run of what he considers inactivity rather than time spent retired.
Although, the son of former WBO heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison, (James McKenzie) ‘Kenzie’ Morrison, 22-1-2 (20 KOs), has now declared that he will be the opponent for Ibeabuchi’s return in what is sure to be one of 2025’s most bizarre matchups.
In a video call shortly after Morrison’s post, Ibeabuchi appeared to confirm the legitimacy of the bout.
“Hey, James Morrison, I have accepted your challenge. Get ready for me. I will fight you any place, anywhere, any time. Thanks and god bless, and don’t take this personally.”
34-year-old Morrison has won by knockout in each of his last nine victories, separated only by defeat to Robert Simms in a bid for the WBC USA heavyweight title, and halted Hasim Rahman Jr. in a battle between two sons of former heavyweight rulers in 2022.
