Nigerian-born heavyweight boxer Ike “The President” Ibeabuchi marked his long-awaited return to the ring in emphatic victorious fashion on Saturday night, Sports247 reports.
“The President” secured a technical knockout victory over Idris Afinni at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, to the delight of the cheering fans.
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The 52-year-old, who had been away from professional boxing for over two decades, looked sharp and composed throughout the contest, despite his age affecting his movement.
After three competitive rounds, Afinni failed to answer the bell for the fourth round, handing Ibeabuchi a TKO victory.
With the win, the former heavyweight contender extended his unbeaten record to 21-0 (16 KOs), rekindling memories of his once-promising career that was abruptly halted 25 years ago.
The Lagos crowd roared as Ibeabuchi rolled back the years with flashes of his old power and ring intelligence.
The victory not only signaled his successful comeback but also sparked talk of possible future big-name clashes.
Speaking after the fight, a proud Ibeabuchi declared his ambition to test himself against the best before hanging up his gloves for good.
“This victory means a lot to me after 25 years away,” Ibeabuchi said.
“But I’m not back just to make up the numbers. I want to face the very best. If time allows, I want Oleksandr Usyk before it elapses. That is the fight I dream of.”
The win has generated some comments among boxing fans in Nigeria and beyond on social media, though questions remain about Ibeabuchi’s ability to handle the intensity of today’s heavyweight elite.
The consensus is that he is now a slower boxer due to age and may need more fights against lesser opponents to improve his speed, head movement, and agility.
Nonetheless, his comeback victory has reignited interest in one of the sport’s most intriguing stories, and one can’t wait to see how far the 52-year-old can go with his life ambition of becoming a World Champion.
