Bowe vs. Ibeabuchi: In Their Primes. Who Wins?

[HeavyHitters]

If Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe and Ike "The President" Ibeabuchi ever squared off in the ring against each other, with each being in their primes, who do you believe would win?

Riddick Bowe would be fighting in the era as when he defeated Evander Holyfield for the first time, and defended his title against Michael Dokes and Jesse Ferguson, 1992-1993 ( approx. weight: 235-240 lbs ).

Ike Ibeabuchi would be fighting be fighting in the era as when he defeated David Tua and Chris Byrd, 1997-1999 ( approx. weight 235-244 lbs ).

It's unfortunate that both of these fighters had their own demons outside the ring. Bowe not very disciplined in between his fights, gaining weight and showing up overweight.

Ike having run-ins with prostitutes and the law, landing him in jail for a significant amount of his prime years behind bars.

If only these two could have entered the professional ranking around the same time, and had somehow met when both in their primes, this would have made one exciting heavyweight fight!

Add your vote NOW!

[gilgamesh]

Riddick Bowe because he actually proved he can beat Elite Heavyweights, Ike Ibeabuchi is just a "What if" case that has gotten blown out of proportion over the years.

Like an Edwin Valero or something.

And frankly...I thought Ibeabuchi should've lost the decision to Tua. If you can't beat Tua clear, you can't beat Bowe.

[DrDuke]

That could have been a brawl like Ike vs Tua and Bowe vs Holyfield. I definitely favour Bowe in such match-up. Bowe would have outfought him inside, he was better there and he had the size advatage. I actually find the decison against Tua pretty disputable and Riddick was obviously much more skilled and tougher boxer. Ibeabuchi would have been able to survive for the final bell though, he was durable and could take a punch. So I'd say, Bowe by decision.

[Enlightened-One]

This should be posted to the history section.

[gilgamesh]

This should be posted to the history section.

When you're right, you're right. I'll move it.

[Kalan]

Riddick Bowe because he actually proved he can beat Elite Heavyweights, Ike Ibeabuchi is just a "What if" case that has gotten blown out of proportion over the years.

Like an Edwin Valero or something.

And frankly...I thought Ibeabuchi should've lost the decision to Tua. If you can't beat Tua clear, you can't beat Bowe.

Ibeabuchi beat Tua UNANIMOUSLY... He landed many more punches and clearly WON!!

Yup!!! Ibeabuchi had all of 16 fights when he fought David Tua and won by UD.... Not bad for his level of experience because Tua was undefeated in about 28 fights... A prime Tua was so slooooow that he lost to Chris Byrd... Tsk.. tsk.. tsk.

When Ibeabuchi had a mere 19 fights he trapped the speedy, undefeated Byrd on the ropes and whaled the bejabbers out of him with blazing fast hand speed... Damned if he didn't get rid of the slickster early.

Ibeabuchi would viciously club Bowe into the canvas like Bowe slapped his mama... Bowe was WIDE OPEN - unlike Byrd.

[gilgamesh]

Yeah I know what the official judges said with the Ibeabuchi vs Tua fight. I didn't agree with their verdict. It's not the only time I've disagreed with a Unanimous Decision verdict, and don't get me wrong the fight was indeed close and competitive so there's a case for Ibeabuchi I just thought Tua's shots were more damaging.

[BoxBuzz]

Kalan,

I would confidently place my bet on Bowe, and collect whatever amount you were willing to lose on Ike.

Now this is Prime vs Prime.....not Bowe Today vs Ike of the Byrd fight. (You often try to pull a fast one in this area, and I want it on the record that this is not a Spring/Fall affair)

But we would have to get someone we could trust to hold the Kitty. Any volunteers?

[gilgamesh]

Kalan,

I would confidently place my bet on Bowe, and collect whatever amount you were willing to lose on Ike.

Now this is Prime vs Prime.....not Bowe Today vs Ike of the Byrd fight. (You often try to pull a fast one in this area, and I want it on the record that this is not a Spring/Fall affair)

But we would have to get someone we could trust to hold the Kitty. Any volunteers?

Considering it's all just a hypothetical anyway, I'll hold the hypothetical kitty

[BoxBuzz]

It's a lot of my dubloons vs Kalan's pazoozas, you'll need to be officially certifiable.

[HeavyHitters]

I have to agree with Kalan that Ike won his fight in unanimous fashion against a rugged and tough Tua. It was a bit close, but I still give Ike about a 3 points ( 116-113 ). In my eyes, he was the busier fighter, stood his ground against a powerful Tua, and proceeded to land the harder more powerful clean shots against Tua, who never had much of a defense.

It is hard for me to choose a winner between Bowe and Ibeabuchi. But knowing how the young Bowe stood up to Evander Holyfield in their first fight. Bowe being the larger man, just as he would be against Ike ( Ike a slightly larger version of Evander ). I would have to give a slight edge to Bowe, but not by much. I could see this hypothetical slug-fest to be an absolute barn burner, with both fighters possibly hitting the canvas.

Yes, Bowe was one of the best inside heavyweight fighters ever, but so was Ike! It is tough to call, but I'd have to go with Bowe in a very close arguable decision, with Ibeabuchi demanding a rematch, believing that he had won this epic brawl.

[oogiebe]

I like Ike. (not Eisenhower!). Bowe never fought anyone like Ike. I believe Bowe loses heart somewhere between 8 and 12 rounds.

[gilgamesh]

I like Ike. (not Eisenhower!). Bowe never fought anyone like Ike. I believe Bowe loses heart somewhere between 8 and 12 rounds.

Who did Ike fight like Bowe?

[gilgamesh]

It's a lot of my dubloons vs Kalan's pazoozas, you'll need to be officially certifiable.

Oh I'm certifiable pal! I've got certification up the yin yang!

[Kalan]

Kalan,

I would confidently place my bet on Bowe, and collect whatever amount you were willing to lose on Ike.

Now this is Prime vs Prime.....not Bowe Today vs Ike of the Byrd fight. (You often try to pull a fast one in this area, and I want it on the record that this is not a Spring/Fall affair)

But we would have to get someone we could trust to hold the Kitty. Any volunteers?

You talk big about betting... How many online betting accounts do you have??? ... Sounds like you would open some.

I'm not talking the Ike of the Byrd Fight... He was better when he had 20 fights so for his next fight... You could take any version of Bowe and he never fought anybody but Holy... The first Holyfield fight was against a weak Cruiserweight (205)... Holyfield said he was too light and beefed up for their rematch which he won... Their 3rd fight Holyfield should have been in a hospital with heart problems (but still smashed the hittable Bowe to the canvas with a left hook).

Bowe at a right weight was about 235.... He was always fat... Ike was always in peak condition and would have battered the living shitt out of dimwitted Bowe... Bowe was scared to death of punchers and never fought any... His style was walking straight in and trading shots... He was very wide open and a guy like Ike Ibeabuchi would smash him flat.

[gilgamesh]

So let this be a lesson to you young boxers. Get a few decent wins, and then go to Prison or Die and ruin your career. You'll be an internet legend far beyond anything you ever showed in the ring forever because everyone will just assume you would've never been beaten.

Works for Ibeabuchi (to some people) and works for Edwin Valero too (to mostly those same people)

I prefer for people to actually EARN a Legendary status where I believe them capable of beating Great fighters personally.

[gilgamesh]

That being said though a few people did legitimately earn Legendary status in spite of young deaths.

Salvador Sanchez, Young Stribling and Stanley Ketchel for instance.

[oogiebe]

I like Ike. (not Eisenhower!). Bowe never fought anyone like Ike. I believe Bowe loses heart somewhere between 8 and 12 rounds.

Who did Ike fight like Bowe?

Good question. No one. But Bowe can be broken with pressure and Ike was Mr. Pressure. Bowe is not as unique a fighter like Ike was. IMHO.

[Counter-puncher]

That being said though a few people did legitimately earn Legendary status in spite of young deaths.

Salvador Sanchez, Young Stribling and Stanley Ketchel for instance.

Indeed, fortunately as opposed to Ike, Sanchez et al had more than enough on their ledger to say their greatness was more than mere speculation

[gregor]

I would go with Ike.

Bowe seems to be more proven with trilogy over Holyfield, but styles make fights.

Bowe was happy to trade punches, as generally trading punches with him was wrong idea, even for Holy.

But Ike could be one of few exceptions - with similar power, a bit better chin, and insane stamina he may gradually wear Bowe down.

[Kalan]

And Ibeabuchi could move his head a lot better defensively than Bowe could... Ike evaded most of slick Chris Byrd’s punches and countered sharply... Ike advanced beyond the guy who unanimously beat Tua when he had 16 fights.

Ike was laughing and enjoying himself against Byrd… That was an easy fight for him... Byrd outboxed the slow Tua -- but besides getting hit a lot harder by Ibeabuchi, Byrd actually landed fewer connects on Ibeabuchi than he got hit with... Ike had enough strength, endurance, and skill to throw and connect with a record number of punches for a Heavyweight in a 12-rounder during his fight with Tua. I believe that record still stands.

I also don’t believe anyone else landed 91 punches on a prime Byrd in 5 rounds... Byrd was undefeated in 26 fights.

[Nile4000]

Bowe takes this by unanimous decision. He would be prepared for Ibeabuchi, and take control early.

[oogiebe]

Bowe takes this by unanimous decision. He would be prepared for Ibeabuchi, and take control early.

Wow, I could go both sides. Bowe who beat Holyfield would still have his hands full. If he could keep Ike off he could take a DEC, or even Ko the Nigerian NItemare were he to get frustrated. OR Ike could steamroll him. I'm up in the air on that. But if it's the Bowe of every other fight, mostly, I'll take Ike.

[scorpio83]

Riddick Bowe win by decision after nailing Ike behind his long left jabs and heavy combinations.