Nigerian-born heavyweight legend Ike ‘The President’ Ibeabuchi has reignited his career in dramatic fashion, calling out unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk after securing a third-round technical knockout victory over Idris Afinni at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Saturday. The 52-year-old, fighting for the first time in 26 years, forced Afinni to retire in his corner, extending his unbeaten professional record to 21-0 with 16 knockouts.
Ibeabuchi, once regarded as one of the most feared prospects of the 1990s, showcased flashes of his old power and precision as he broke down Afinni with punishing body shots. “I was catching him with good punches, I was banging him down with body shots, and sooner or later I believed he was going to wear down,” he said afterwards. “Now, I want to fight Usyk. I am 21-0 with 16 knockouts—why can’t he fight me? I love fighting, but I want him before time elapses.”
Afinni, who dropped to 18-9-2 (15 KOs), showed respect for his opponent after the bout, declaring Ibeabuchi “the world’s best.” The event drew attention not only for Ibeabuchi’s performance but also for the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control’s (NBBofC) decision to sanction a fighter of his age. General Secretary Remi Aboderin defended the ruling, insisting Ibeabuchi had passed all medical requirements. “Age is just a number. He felt as young as he did 25 years ago, and his lifestyle meant there was no significant wear and tear. We had no choice but to sanction the fight,” Aboderin said.
The NBBofC also pointed to global precedents, noting that older fighters have been cleared to compete under proper medical supervision. “If the international world could sanction a Mike Tyson at 58 years old to fight a 27-year-old Jake Paul, nothing should stop a 51-year-old fighting a 40-year-old once medicals are cleared,” Aboderin added. NBBofC President Dr Rafiu Ladipo hailed the comeback as “a testament to the enduring spirit of boxing and the dedication of athletes who refuse to let time define their limits.”
Ibeabuchi’s return caps a turbulent personal journey that saw him imprisoned following legal troubles after his 1999 victory over Chris Byrd. Released in 2015, he later violated probation and served an additional four years before his final release. Now, more than two decades later, the self-styled “President” has set his sights on world championship glory, with Oleksandr Usyk firmly in his crosshairs.
