Ike Ibeabuchi

Ikemefula "Ike" Charles Ibeabuchi (born February 2, 1973 in Isuochi, Nigeria) is a undefeated heavyweight boxer who after defeating two highly ranked contenders was imprisoned.

Amateur career

Ibeabuchi was born in Nigeria in 1973. After a short amateur career that saw him beat Duncan Dokiwari Ike moved from his native Nigeria to America to start his professional career under the guidance of former welterweight champion Curtis Cokes. Just before turning pro, Ike became a Golden Gloves champion.

Pro career

In 1994 he made his debut scoring a second round knockout of Ismael Garcia, after this he racked up a record of 16-0 against mostly journeymen opponents.

Battle with Tua

Up to this point, he was an unknown heavyweight, but was then put in with undefeated super prospect David Tua . At the start of the fight, Ibeabuchi came out very fast, throwing powerful combinations to Tua’s body and head, while blocking most of Tua’s punches. Ike managed to throw 91 punches in the first and second rounds (the heavyweight average is around 50). After Ike dominated the first 5 rounds, Tua managed to get back into the fight by winning some of the middle rounds. Ike won the later rounds and won a unanimous decision. The fight holds the record for most punches thrown in a heavyweight contest, beating the previous record set by Ali-Frazier III (remarkable since Ali-Frazier went two more rounds). Ibeabuchi also broke the record for the most punches thrown by an individual heavyweight, averaging 81 punches a round.

Troubles outside the ring

Ike was now one of the most feared heavyweights in the world, and was tipped by many to be the next great heavyweight champion. However, Ike began to experience personal problems. He was involved in a bout of air rage soon after the Tua bout, and began to claim he could see demons that would torment him. Ike was involved in another incident a short while later. He abducted the son of his former girlfriend, threw him into his car, and drove straight into a concrete pillar, permanently injuring the boy. This earned Ike a two month prison sentence, and he was forced to pay the boy’s family an undisclosed fee. As a result of his prison stint and violent behavior, many promoters were wary of associating with Ibeabuchi, thus severely hindering his chances for a world title fight. [cite news | url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=13037&more=1 | title=Ike Ibeabuchi - The Return of the King, or is it | author=Andrew Wake | publisher=East Side Boxing | date=October 29, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-07]

Comeback

After twelve months out of the ring, and facing criminal charges, Ike returned with a first round KO of club fighter Tim Ray, and then scored a ninth round KO over journeyman Everton Davis. His career culminated with a crushing knockout of undefeated Chris Byrd, a future heavyweight champion. Ike's fight with Byrd in 1999 was to be his last as a professional.

Imprisonment

Ibeabuchi's career was cut short in 2001 when he pleaded guilty to battery with intent to commit a crime and attempted sexual assault, after an incident involving a lap dancer who refused to take a check for 'services' in Ibeabuchi's room at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Ibeabuchi was sentenced to 2 to 10 years on the first charge (paroled in 2001) and five to 30 years on the second charge (parole denied three times).

Ibeabuchi, who has been diagnosed with bipolar and schizo-effective disorders, remained jailed with mentally ill offenders until authorities could determine whether he was competent or not to stand trial. State doctors said he could be made competent with medication. Ibeabuchi had refused voluntary medication because it was believed it would cause motor-skill problems that would damage his boxing career. In a split decision, two of three doctors determined Ibeabuchi was competent to stand trial. A third doctor determined he was not competent.

Since his incarceration, Ibeabuchi has earned two college degrees from Western Nevada Community College: an Associate of General Studies; and an Associate of Applied Science in General Business. [ | url=http://www.ikeibeabuchi.org/biography.php?m=doc&c=8&id=13
[cite news | url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news/barker0309.php | title=The Strange Case of Ike Ibeabuchi | author=Paul Barker | publisher=East Side Boxing| accessdate=2007-12-07]

Ibeabuchi was denied parole in August 2004 and again in August 2007. He will be eligible for parole in Nevada again in December 2010, when he will be 37 years old. After a decade of inactivity, his boxing career is likely over. [cite news url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=8879&more=1 | title=Ike Ibeabuchi Interview: "The President” Wants To Get Back On The Campaign Trail!! | author=Izyaslav “Slava” Kozae | publisher=East Side Boxing | date=November 16, 2006 | accessdate=2007-12-07]

Ibeabuchi as of late has been re-classified to Ely State Maximum Security Prison by Ely, NV., and his custody has been elevated from Medium to Maximum. He was last seen by the Nevada Parole Board on May 30, 2008. [cite news url=http://www.doc.nv.gov/notis/detail.php?offender_id=71979 | title=NDOC Offender Page | author=Nevada Department of Corrections | publisher=Nevada Department of Corrections | date=6/15/2008 ]

References

External links

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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xogW6sWvBww Ike Ibeabuchi's famous left-handed bolo punch used to K.O Chris Byrd in 1999] (YouTube)