Ibeabuchi, Ike

Initially, Ike did not plan to become a boxer, but wanted to go to serve in the armed forces of Nigeria . But in 1990, he saw the fight of Mike Tyson and James Douglas , which made a strong impression on him and pushed him to engage in amateur boxing. As an amateur, Ike twice defeated his compatriot Duncan Dokivari , the future bronze medalist of the 1996 Olympic Games . In 1993, Ike and his mother moved to the USA, to the city of Dallas . In 1994, he won the Golden Gloves title in Dallas and then in Texas . In the same year he turned into professionals ^[1] .

Despite Nigerian citizenship, Ibeabuchi spent all his fights in the United States.

1994-1997

On October 13, 1994, he made his debut in the professional ring, having won by knockout in the second round of Mexican debutant Ismael Garcia.

Then won four more victories. In 1995, he met with non-beaten Americans Terry Porter (4-0) and Greg Pickrom (4-0-1), defeating both in the third round.

After a series of seven victories over a rather weak unremarkable opposition, on March 6, 1997, he fought with the famous jornimen Marion Wilson . Despite the large number of defeats, Wilson never lost ahead of schedule. Although Ike also could not knock him out, he confidently won on points in the 10th round match.

Fight with David Tua

• Location:   Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, USA
• Result: Ibeabuchi wins by unanimous decision in a 12-round bout
• Status: Rating battle
• Referee: Lou Filippo
• Judges' Score: Rudi Jordan (115–114), Hank Elespur (116–113), Dick Young (117–115)
• Weight: Ibeabuchi 106.59 kg; Tua 102.50 kg
• Broadcast: HBO
• The account of the unofficial judge: Harold Lederman (115-113 Tua)

In 1997, a fight between two unbeaten and very strong knockouts Aika Ibeabuchi and David Tua took place . Ike Ibeabuchi, unlike most opponents of David Tua, did not run and accepted the battle. It was a clean and solid match with a lot of punches and an indisputable final result. All 3 judges rated Ibeabuchi. An unofficial judge at HBO, Harold Lederman, decided he had won the Tua.

Intermediate fights

July 9, 1998, he fought against a little-known American Tim Ray, who was first knocked down and then knocked out at the end of the first three minutes.

September 4, 1998 entered the ring with Jamaican Everton Davis, who had 13 victories in his track record with 10 defeats and one draw. Despite the poor performance, Davis had previously met with David Tua and managed to go with him the entire distance of the battle. Ibeabuchi knocked out his opponent in the first round, but only knocked out in the ninth when, after two knockdowns by Davis, the referee stopped the bout ^[2] .

Fight Chris Byrd

• Location:   Arco Arena , Sacramento, California, USA
• Result: Ibeabuchi won by technical knockout in the 5th round of the 10th round fight.
• Status: Rating battle
• Referee: Ron Roll
• Judges' Score: Barry Draxman (39-37 Bird), Glen Hamada (39-37 Ibeabuchi), Joe Macaluso (38-38)
• Time: 2:59
• Weight: Bird 94.69 kg; Ibeabuchi 111.00 kg;
• Broadcast: HBO

In 1999, Ike Ibeabuchi entered the ring against the unbeaten techie Chris Byrd . At first, the fight was equal. Bird ran, and Ibeabuchi tried to catch up with him. In round 5, Chris Bird stagnated at the ropes and missed the strongest left uppercut. His hands fell, and at that moment Ibeabuchi added the right cross. It was a hard knockdown. Byrd began to salivate. Nevertheless he rose. Less than a minute was left until the end of the round. Ibeabuchi immediately went on the attack. Bird slipped and the referee mistakenly counted the 2nd knockdown. Ike Ibeabuchi pinned him at the ropes and brought down a hail of blows, most of which went either to protect or by. Nevertheless, 1 second before the end of the round, the referee decided to stop the fight. ^[3]

Later, Ike Ibeabuchi was charged with rape and bodily harm, placed on forced psychiatric treatment and subsequently convicted. ^{[4] [5]} Ibeabuchi was denied parole four times.

In February 2014, the media reported that Ibeabuchi was released from prison ^[6] , but later it became known that this information was false. Ibeabuchi was not released, but was only transferred to a prison in Washuo County, Nevada. In September 2014, a decision to release him was not made, and Ike remained in prison. ^[7] In December 2015, Ibeabuchi was released. He announced his intention to pursue a career ^[8] .

• Achievement list