Oleksandr Usyk / Getty Images

Undefeated 52-Year-Old Boxer Who Spent 16 Years In Prison Returns To Ring After 26 Years, Wants Oleksandr Usyk Next

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Aldon | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 7:08 PM ET

Professional boxer Ike "The President" Ibeabuchi was one of the most feared heavyweights in the boxing world. In the late 90s, he beat David Tua, who was an undefeated menace that drew comparisons to Mike Tyson.

Ibeabuchi’s 1999 stoppage of future champion Chris Byrd was a fight that established him as a future superstar. Months later, however, his career was derailed due to legal troubles after being found guilty of holding an escort service employee hostage and sexually assaulting her at a Las Vegas hotel-casino.

Following his release after serving 16 years in prison and a subsequent deportation to Nigeria in 2021, it seemed likely that Ibeabuchi would never compete in the ring again.

However, he returned to the ring this past Saturday night after a 26-year absence at the age of 52, scoring a third-round technical knockout victory over Idris Afinni at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria.

Watch footage of the fight here:

https://youtube.com/shorts/EjsStpTeMIM?si=CmLrjB0u-xvLC9Xe

Despite the inevitable signs of age, Ibeabuchi was able to defeat his opponent, Idris Afinni, who is 12 years younger than Ibeabuchi and entered their bout with a record of 18-8-2.

With his latest victory, Ibeabuchi remains undefeated in his pro career, and his record improves to 21-0.

According to Nigerian publication The Punch, he called out the current undisputed heavyweight champion after the fight, declaring, "Now, I want to fight [Oleksandr] Usyk. I am 21-0, with 16 knockouts, why can't he fight me? If he wants me to fight more, I will fight more. I love fighting, but I want him before time elapses."

Usyk will likely pursue more deserving contenders such as interim WBO heavyweight belt-holder Joseph Parker, or Moses Itauma, who recently scored a spectacular knockout over Dillian Whyte just over a week ago. He also might have an MMA match with influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Ibeabuchi still possesses the raw talent that once made him one of the most feared heavyweights on the planet, but his victory over a lower-level professional like Afinni will also not be enough to warrant a shot at Usyk. He will have to climb his way back to the top.

For Ibeabuchi, though, he never left the top. He still dreams of reclaiming glory from the pinnacle of his career at the age of 52.
Prior to the fight, he told Lewis Walton from Uncrowned, “I have never been this energetic in my life. I train twice a day, and it’s not a problem at all. I still believe I am at the very top. Nobody ever took me off the top.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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