Controversial boxer returns with stoppage win after 16 years in prison and calls out Oleksandr Usyk

Ike Ibeabuchi returned to the ring on Saturday night after a remarkable 26-year lay-off.

The undefeated 52-year-old Nigerian heavyweight (21-0) was a highly-touted contender in the 1990s and was on the verge of a world title shot at the end of the decade when he secured impressive wins over David Tua and Chris Byrd.

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However, his dream was emded in July 1999 when he was arrested for taking a Las Vegas call girl hostage in his hotel room.

The incident occurred just four months after Ibeabuchi’s career-best knockout win over the previously unbeaten Byrd.

Ibeabuchi trapped the woman in a closet and barricaded himself in the bathroom before eventually surrendering to police when they discharged pepper spray under the door.

He served 16 years in prison for battery with intent, attempted sexual assault and violating parole conditions.

Ibeabuchi was deported back to Nigeria in 2021, where he began to make inroads towards a boxing comeback.

Several attempts fell by the wayside before he eventually landed a fight with fellow countryman Idris Afinni (18-9-2) at Lagos’ Teslim Balogun Stadium.

For three rounds, Ibeabuchi walked down his tentative foe with clubbing blows.

Afinni threw almost nothing but a jab for the entire fight, while Ibeacbuchi winged wild shots over the top.

At the end of the third frame, after being rocked by a couple of punches, Afinni retired on his stool, handing Ibeabuchi the long-awaited taste of victory.

Keen to make up for lost time after nearly three decades on the sidelines, Ibeabuchi took the opportunity to call out reigning undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in the immediate aftermath.

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“I want to fight Usyk, the champion,” he told Fight Gist Media.

“I am 21-0, 16 knockouts, why can’t he fight me?

“I broke the top ten before then. If Usyk wants me to fight more, I will fight more. I love to fight.

“But I want him before time elapses. I want Usyk.”

Ibeabuchi is also under the impression that a fight with Tyson Fury is a possibility once he gets himself a world ranking.

The rugged veteran even went as far as to suggest that they made contact after he called out ‘The Gypsy King’ multiple times.