Ike Ibeabuchi is back! And on the Pacquiao undercard in April!

[Rexob]

He's been in the slammer for a good few years. Irrespective of his physical gifts and skill level, prison is not an environment to hone these skills and for boxing talent to flourish.

He should be in the running in the next year then

[Tuan_Jim]

Exactly. I think he'd have been a serious threat to everyone but Lewis in '99, even Holyfield, and if he's fit and focused now, he's not that old for a current heavyweight.

I think he was even a threat to Lewis. He could punch, move, and, as we saw versus Tua, shrug off full bloodied shots from a puncher. He looked like the complete package.

[keithmoonhangover]

Jose Ribalta has never attempted a comeback. Another classic Henry clanger.

Why do you have to act like such a prick all the time Tuan?

[TheLeprechaun]

Exactly. I think he'd have been a serious threat to everyone but Lewis in '99, even Holyfield, and if he's fit and focused now, he's not that old for a current heavyweight.

I think he was even a threat to Lewis. He could punch, move, and, as we saw versus Tua, shrug off full bloodied shots from a puncher. He looked like the complete package.

I don't think Lewis would have had it easy at all with Ibeabuchi. Ibeabuchi probably had the best chin in the division at that time for a start, so we might have been looking at 12 rounds. He had one punch power and was capable of putting Lewis to sleep with a single shot. He was decent at slipping shots and has very good handspeed. He came in superb shape and was ready to do a full 12 rounds at a good pace. Lewis might have been able to keep him at the end of a jab and keep him at bay with the threat of right hands and big uppercuts on the inside. But to be honest, Ibeabuchi was far superiour to Lewis on the inside so Lewis would have been better served to do everything possible to keep this fight at range and hold in close, which is what Steward would have told him im sure. Watching Ibeabuchi vs Tua round 1 again, i was surprised at Ibeabuchi's footspeed. I always had that down as a pretty big flaw but he was moving pretty well.

[Tuan_Jim]

Jose Ribalta has never attempted a comeback. Another classic Henry clanger.

Why do you have to act like such a prick all the time Tuan?

It's part of my Boxrec pantomime persona. But when a man argues against an Ike Ibeabuchi comeback citing the failed recent comeback of Jose Ribalta are we seriously not meant to call him out on it? Ribalta never made a comeback. Christ, the man hasn't boxed since the 1990s!! If there's something medically wrong with Henry and we have agreed to tolerate his fantasies then I apologise, I wasn't at that meeting.

[Tuan_Jim]

Exactly. I think he'd have been a serious threat to everyone but Lewis in '99, even Holyfield, and if he's fit and focused now, he's not that old for a current heavyweight.

I think he was even a threat to Lewis. He could punch, move, and, as we saw versus Tua, shrug off full bloodied shots from a puncher. He looked like the complete package.

I don't think Lewis would have had it easy at all with Ibeabuchi. Ibeabuchi probably had the best chin in the division at that time for a start, so we might have been looking at 12 rounds. He had one punch power and was capable of putting Lewis to sleep with a single shot. He was decent at slipping shots and has very good handspeed. He came in superb shape and was ready to do a full 12 rounds at a good pace. Lewis might have been able to keep him at the end of a jab and keep him at bay with the threat of right hands and big uppercuts on the inside. But to be honest, Ibeabuchi was far superiour to Lewis on the inside so Lewis would have been better served to do everything possible to keep this fight at range and hold in close, which is what Steward would have told him im sure. Watching Ibeabuchi vs Tua round 1 again, i was surprised at Ibeabuchi's footspeed. I always had that down as a pretty big flaw but he was moving pretty well.

Yes, whenever I try to conjure a scene of Ibeabuchi and Lewis I always seem to see Lewis getting laid out. Ike wasn't pushing 40 like Holyfield, or low in ring IQ like Grant and Tua. He's far more well-rounded than Rahman. He looked the closest thing to Sonny Liston I have ever seen, a coordinated powerhouse discharging clever aggression.

[keithmoonhangover]

Jose Ribalta has never attempted a comeback. Another classic Henry clanger.

Why do you have to act like such a prick all the time Tuan?

It's part of my Boxrec pantomime persona. But when a man argues against an Ike Ibeabuchi comeback citing the failed recent comeback of Jose Ribalta are we seriously not meant to call him out on it? Ribalta never made a comeback. Christ, the man hasn't boxed since the 1990s!! If there's something medically wrong with Henry and we have agreed to tolerate his fantasies then I apologise, I wasn't at that meeting.

You weren't at the meeting about having manners either. And before you ask, this guy ain't saluting, he's doing the international sign of the dickhead.

[Tuan_Jim]

Manners? I'm a minor offender compared to a lot of them on here. I've seen you be quite unpleasant to poor old Elmersalsa.

[TheLeprechaun]

I think he was even a threat to Lewis. He could punch, move, and, as we saw versus Tua, shrug off full bloodied shots from a puncher. He looked like the complete package.

I don't think Lewis would have had it easy at all with Ibeabuchi. Ibeabuchi probably had the best chin in the division at that time for a start, so we might have been looking at 12 rounds. He had one punch power and was capable of putting Lewis to sleep with a single shot. He was decent at slipping shots and has very good handspeed. He came in superb shape and was ready to do a full 12 rounds at a good pace. Lewis might have been able to keep him at the end of a jab and keep him at bay with the threat of right hands and big uppercuts on the inside. But to be honest, Ibeabuchi was far superiour to Lewis on the inside so Lewis would have been better served to do everything possible to keep this fight at range and hold in close, which is what Steward would have told him im sure. Watching Ibeabuchi vs Tua round 1 again, i was surprised at Ibeabuchi's footspeed. I always had that down as a pretty big flaw but he was moving pretty well.

Yes, whenever I try to conjure a scene of Ibeabuchi and Lewis I always seem to see Lewis getting laid out. Ike wasn't pushing 40 like Holyfield, or low in ring IQ like Grant and Tua. He's far more well-rounded than Rahman. He looked the closest thing to Sonny Liston I have ever seen, a coordinated powerhouse discharging clever aggression.

He really invested to the body too. I don't see him being intimidated whatsoever by Lewis. I'm not saying he wins but I would be surprised if he got banged out. Lewis didn't really have very fast feet himself. Rahman 2 was probably his best performance where he used his feet. We also don't know what Ibeabuchi would have done if he was getting outboxed. He might have had the heart to put it all on the line and "out man" Lewis. Take big shots to land his own. I reckon he might have been able to use his skills to match Lewis in many departments though. He was also way more active when he wanted to be. Maybe he would have tried to outwork Lewis. Once thing is for sure, it would have been a fight where Lewis would have had to WORK to keep Ibeabuchi at bay. We saw Lewis having problems with Mercer for example. Ibeabuchi was a level above Mercer for me.

[keithmoonhangover]

Manners? I'm a minor offender compared to a lot of them on here. I've seen you be quite unpleasant to poor old Elmersalsa.

But we're talking about you, not me. You should try being nice to people for a change, all the cool kids are doing it.

[TheLeprechaun]

Think I remember McGuigan was high on Ibeabuchi. I remember him saying on Sky one time that Tyson would have no chance vs Ibeabuchi and that Ibeabuchi vs Lewis was a pickem

[keithmoonhangover]

Think I remember McGuigan was high on Ibeabuchi. I remember him saying on Sky one time that Tyson would have no chance vs Ibeabuchi and that Ibeabuchi vs Lewis was a pickem

Ibeabuchi did well against what was but in front of him, but he never stood opposite anyone near as good as Lewis. Lewis would be 100% focused and he'd stick to the game plan laid out by Manny - just like the Tua fight.

[HomicideHenry]

I brought up Ribalta, because, when I interviewed him some years prior he hinted at making a comeback. I assumed (and heard) that he had been in a gym (the Monster Factory I believe) training, and was planning on it. My mistake if he didn't. However, I don't think one example that was off the mark takes anything away from my post. I don't want to see another boxing casuality. I'm tired of seeing old men make comebacks, only to fall flat on their faces against some bum who wouldn't have been their sparring partner in their primes.


Actually just did a google search ("Jose Ribalta" + "come back") and this came up. It was in 2012, interviewed by Combat Media, and he indicated that he was making a comeback there as well----- so I am NOT wrong exactly. Did he follow through? No, thank Jesus, but still. I was not in the wrong. http://realcombatmedia.com/2012/12/jose ... -comeback/

[tobyh5]

Think I remember McGuigan was high on Ibeabuchi. I remember him saying on Sky one time that Tyson would have no chance vs Ibeabuchi and that Ibeabuchi vs Lewis was a pickem

That is enough to make me change my mind on Ike. I was high on him too but must have been wrong if Bazza agreed. What that man knows about anaylising a boxer could be written on the back of a postage stamp. I used to be a big fan of him growing up and remember watching the Loftus Road fight in the 80s but my god he appears to be a prick in his public image.

I remember years ago on this forum, someone saying that they worked alongside Barry on TV telecasts and he used to have to feed him the facts about a fighter as Barry knew so little. McGuigan would come out with little insights like, "...of course he is known for being strong late in the fight, with knockouts against (names fight) a couple years ago." It turned out he was fed all the info and the guy here said he basically knew next to feck all.

[Syntax Error]

He's been in the slammer for a good few years. Irrespective of his physical gifts and skill level, prison is not an environment to hone these skills and for boxing talent to flourish.

Exactly.

It would have been a massive ask to expect anything from from Ibeabuchi after a seventeen year hiatus had he been out & free, but after that long in jail, it would be the biggest miracle of all time if he could feature in the HW division now, no matter how weak it apparently is.

[Syntax Error]

Think I remember McGuigan was high on Ibeabuchi. I remember him saying on Sky one time that Tyson would have no chance vs Ibeabuchi and that Ibeabuchi vs Lewis was a pickem

Tyson of '99 would have not had the heart nor the stamina to hang with Ibeabuchi; Lewis, on the other hand would have adopted a cautious approach & won on points.

[Tuan_Jim]

I think being cautious against David Tua and being cautious against Ike Ibeabuchi are entirely different propositions. Tua was deadly with his fists but unfit and painfully one-dimensional. Ibeabuchi could work at a frenetic pace and had far more nous than Tua, when he elected to box.

A shopworn Holyfield, nearing 40, was in the rematch employing that high ring IQ and getting to Lewis with shots. Ibeabuchi would not have such trouble pulling the trigger.

I don't have a clue who would have won, but Ibeabuchi is closer in attitude to Ray Mercer than David Tua. People worship Wladimir Klitschko, but it's worth remembering that before the 34-1 Klitschko decisioned Byrd, a 19-0 Ibeabuchi had manhandled and near killed him.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Maybe he can fight Mike Tyson for the heavyweight rapist prison championship of the world?

On the undercard Tony Ayala Jnr and Davey Hilton Jnr can fight for the paedophile rapist super middle title.

Is it not universally accepted that Tyson was stitched up? Let the man earn his living. If you don't like him, root against him, simple!

Well, I've always had my suspicions, however, universally accepted - well no, and certainly not by a jury of his peers.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Think I remember McGuigan was high on Ibeabuchi. I remember him saying on Sky one time that Tyson would have no chance vs Ibeabuchi and that Ibeabuchi vs Lewis was a pickem

Tyson of '99 would have not had the heart nor the stamina to hang with Ibeabuchi; Lewis, on the other hand would have adopted a cautious approach & won on points.

More likely Lewis would have gone for him and mauled him. Lewis had a history of going for the big guys and taking them apart.

[Tuan_Jim]

James, if Lewis tried to maul Ibeabuchi he would be knocked cold like he was against Rahman. Ibeabuchi wasn't a spineless coward like Akinwande, or a teetering disaster like Michael Grant. You know your stuff, I'm amazed you think Lewis would want to jump on a guy with the same frame as Oliver McCall and Ray Mercer.

[keithmoonhangover]

He beat Tua and Bird. He didn't share the ring with a Vitali or Lennox, if he had, he'd have been beaten.

[knockout]

Would love to see Ibeabuchi do something special! He had incredible work rate, chin and power along with good skill set and fighting brain! You don't see that combination very often! He was definitely of the Ray Mercer Oliver McCall make up! Both of whom when they got it right ( ie came in mentally and physically in shape) could trouble any heavyweight in history!

[keithmoonhangover]

I'm hoping that Ibeabuchi gets the shit beaten out of him. The man is scum.

[lillywhite14]

Exactly. I think he'd have been a serious threat to everyone but Lewis in '99, even Holyfield, and if he's fit and focused now, he's not that old for a current heavyweight.

I think he was even a threat to Lewis. He could punch, move, and, as we saw versus Tua, shrug off full bloodied shots from a puncher. He looked like the complete package.

I don't think Lewis would have had it easy at all with Ibeabuchi. Ibeabuchi probably had the best chin in the division at that time for a start, so we might have been looking at 12 rounds. He had one punch power and was capable of putting Lewis to sleep with a single shot. He was decent at slipping shots and has very good handspeed. He came in superb shape and was ready to do a full 12 rounds at a good pace. Lewis might have been able to keep him at the end of a jab and keep him at bay with the threat of right hands and big uppercuts on the inside. But to be honest, Ibeabuchi was far superiour to Lewis on the inside so Lewis would have been better served to do everything possible to keep this fight at range and hold in close, which is what Steward would have told him im sure. Watching Ibeabuchi vs Tua round 1 again, i was surprised at Ibeabuchi's footspeed. I always had that down as a pretty big flaw but he was moving pretty well.

I can't see any man who goes life and death, and in plenty of eyes, lost to David Tua, outboxong Lenox Lewis for 12 rounds. You can bet your bollocks that Lewis turns up completely focused and ready for this mythical match up too as Ike was building a serious reputation, no Rahman nonsense here.
Ibeabuchi was potentially a good challenger but his chances get bigged up with each passing year.

Look at how each dealt with David Tua. Ike couldn't beat him like Lennox did because he didn't have the ability.

I'm not saying Ibeabuchi didn't stand a chance, of course he did, but if a prime motivated and fit Lennox Lews turns up and performs...

[keithmoonhangover]

I can't see any man who goes life and death, and in plenty of eyes, lost to David Tua, outboxong Lenox Lewis for 12 rounds. You can bet your bollocks that Lewis turns up completely focused and ready for this mythical match up too as Ike was building a serious reputation, no Rahman nonsense here.
Ibeabuchi was potentially a good challenger but his chances get bigged up with each passing year.

Look at how each dealt with David Tua. Ike couldn't beat him like Lennox did because he didn't have the ability.

I'm not saying Ibeabuchi didn't stand a chance, of course he did, but if a prime motivated and fit Lennox Lews turns up and performs...

Sums it up perfectly.