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Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

WelshDevilRob

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Mystery surrounds Ibeabuchi release

 

Exclusive by Luke G. Williams

 

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US Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirms that former heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi is ‘no longer in custody’. But where is he? Luke G. Williams investigates …

 

Whenever ‘top tens’ of lost, wasted or unfulfilled heavyweight boxing talents are compiled the name of Ikemefula Charles Ibeabuchi is always at or near the top of the list.

 

Before his arrest in 1999 and subsequent imprisonment for sexual assault and battery, Ibeabuchi had the boxing world at his feet. His war for the ages against David Tua and his savage knockout of the much-avoided – and previously undefeated – Chris Byrd, had seen the then 26-year-old prospect’s professional record advance to 20-0 with 15 stoppage victories. Before the forces of law and order intervened, a World Heavyweight Championship challenge was within touching distance for the formidable Nigerian pugilist.

 

Ever since Ibeabuchi’s incarceration, the boxing cognoscenti have pondered ‘what-might-have-been’, while the boxer’s more fanatical admirers have eagerly – and perhaps over-optimistically – wondered whether he might still blaze a destructive trail through the heavyweight division when finally released from prison. After all, if George Foreman could make a comeback in his forties, why not Ibeabuchi?

 

Other observers of a more compassionate disposition have pondered whether prison - or the boxing ring - were really the right place for Ibeabuchi, a man whose highly erratic behaviour prior to his conviction was characterised by possible signs of mental illness.

 

Throughout his decade and a half in custody there have been frequent rumours that Ibeabuchi was on the verge of release. Indeed, he has been eligible for parole since 2002. Yet in nine hearings over eleven years he failed to convince the authorities he should be freed, despite having proved himself a dedicated student while in prison, earning two degrees from Western Nevada College in 2007, and being named on the Dean’s List in Spring 2005.

 

In February 2014, it was wrongly reported in some media outlets that Ibeabuchi had finally been granted parole and released. Some reports even claimed that he was set to return to boxing, under the management of John Wilkinson and Bill Hodge.

 

However, it soon emerged – thanks to the investigative efforts of writer Michael Woods – that although Ibeabuchi had indeed been paroled, due to his status as a Nigerian national he had subsequently been moved into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

 

ICE subsequently revealed that after a hearing in front of an immigration judge, an order had been made to have Ibeabuchi deported to Nigeria, based on the seriousness of his original conviction.

 

While awaiting deportation Ibeabuchi was held at the Eloy detention center in Arizona. Now, nearly two years later, Boxing Monthly can reveal that Ibeabuchi - now aged 42 - is no longer in ICE custody, although his current whereabouts are unknown, and it is also unclear if he plans on making a boxing comeback.

 

The first indication that Ibeabuchi had been released came on 24 November when a post appeared on a Facebook page listed under his name that read:

 

“America is the land of the second chance - and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.
- George W. Bush

 

IKE "THE PRESIDENT" IBEABUCHI WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON ON TUESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2015, TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR HIS MERCY AND VICTORY...... Enjoy your Freedom "POTUS."

 

Bearing in mind the ease with which fake Facebook accounts can be established, this post should, of course, be treated with the utmost caution. However, there are reasonable grounds for believing that this Facebook account does, at the very least, belong to someone with a connection to Ibeabuchi and his family.

 

For example, on 13 February 2014 the page reported accurately the news that Ibeabuchi’s mother, Patricia Ibeabuchi, had died from a heart attack. The page had also previously promoted Patricia’s website - helpikeibeabuchi.org – which had lobbied for Ike’s release.

 

In order to check the veracity or otherwise of the Facebook post, Boxing Monthly accessed the ICE’s publicly available detainee locator database to check on Ibeabuchi’s current status.

 

Sure enough, the database lists his status as “not in custody”, explaining that this means that sometime within the past 60 days Ibeabuchi has indeed been released from ICE custody, for one of the following reasons:

 

“Removed from or voluntarily departed the United States,

 

Released from custody pending the outcome of their case,

 

Released into the United States due to the resolution of the immigration case (e.g., grant of an immigration benefit that permits the person to remain in the country), or

 

Transferred into the custody of another law enforcement or custodial agency.”

 

Unfortunately, due to privacy restrictions, a spokesperson for the Eloy Detention Center, although able to confirm that Ibeabuchi was no longer in residence at their facility, was unable to give any further information relating to the circumstances of his release to Boxing Monthly. An enquiry to the ICE headquarters in Washington D.C. received the same response.

 

Given the immigration judge’s decision last year to deport, it seems highly unlikely - albeit not impossible - that Ibeabuchi has been allowed to remain in the United States.

 

It is therefore to be assumed that the now 42-year-old pugilist has been deported to his homeland of Nigeria. If this is the case, and given the fact that he now possesses a criminal record, the chances of him winning readmission at a later date to the United States – where he was hoping to continue his boxing career – appear to be slim.

 

However, until ‘the President’ breaks cover, or makes a definitive public statement, his whereabouts remain unknown, as do his future plans.

 

As ever, in the turbulent life and career of Ike Ibeabuchi, nothing is simple.

 

In 2016, Boxing Monthly online will feature a biographical series by Luke G. Williams covering Ike Ibeabuchi’s life and career in definitive detail.

 

Source: Mystery surrounds Ibeabuchi release - Boxing Monthly

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Here is Ike at his best against then undefeated David Tua in 1997.

 

Ike's last fight in 1999

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-6IoQ_ztqw

 

The man who had the boxing World at his feet and the potential to have ruled the Heavyweight division and saved us from the Klitschko era. Do you think he will ever be back in a boxing ring?

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Cableaddict Rising Star

Cableaddict

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Re: Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

 

“America is the land of the second chance - and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.
- George W. Bush

 

- So says the man who did more to increase the number of private prisons in the US than any other president, thus ensuring that prisoner receive maximum sentences and minimal early parole.

 

Sheeesh ......

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LondonRingRules Proficient

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Re: Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

 

--- His career as a top contender effectively ended after Tua was finished with him though nobody knew at the time since he could still fight some.

 

That's when his headaches and voices started in on him that slowly drove him crazy, so I don't think he would have been a factor against Lewis or the Ks though they'd get credit for beating an invincible monster that everyone in boxing refused to recognize as crazy. Sorta like Mr. Field beating Tyson or Mr. Larry beating Ali whose body was going crazy.

 

Hard to know where Ike ends up or even what kind of mental and physical condition he's in, but he's clearly done at top level boxing. Nigeria may not have taken him in, but a nice Boxing Monthly article at any rate. Hope things are going well for Graham as he punctuates his life's work as a publisher by saving an historical boxing mag.

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WelshDevilRob Proficient

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Re: Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

 

Ike Ibeabuchi looking to return on Manny Pacquiao undercard

by Rob Day

 

http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/gRODjLbpB7.oJKXhaEx5VA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztxPTg1/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2015-12-27/5372b6f0-ac31-11e5-af0b-bd5ea77640fc_IKE-TODAY.jpg

 

Ike Ibeabuchi looking to return on Manny Pacquiao undercard - - Boxing News - Ring News24

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gavpowell Newbie

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Re: Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

 

43-year-old ex-con with a history of psychological problems - Michael Ko ncz clearly wants blood on his hands.

 

And some effort to learn comma and apostrophe usage would make you into a decent writer.

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selij Grand Master

selij

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Re: Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

 

Basket case. Putting him in with Briggs proves nothing and Wilder's camp wont give him the time of day. He's finished, sadly.

 

PS Slugfest with Chisora down Leicester Square outside some boozer might be worth a watch, that's all.............

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LondonRingRules Proficient

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Re: Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

 

--- I would just point out that Ike was Ring rated from 1997-99 on the strength of his wins over Tua and Byrd.

 

While true he never gained the lofty status of Foreman before he retired, Ike had become a big player. And while Ayala wasn't Ring ranked in the middleweight division, it should be noted that they didn't start Jr Mid rankings until well after Ayala was incarcerated. Ayala had beaten the #1 WBA Jr Mid contender and was scheduled to meet WBA champ Davey Moore in 1983. Roberto Duran famously got that call instead of Ayala because of his legal problems and the rest history.

 

Be happy if Ike came back and made a little noise, but his main focus should be furthering his rehabilitation as prison by itself does a poor job in that regard. That may well include staying on his psychotropic meds which would preclude any ideas of becoming a ranked heavy.

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Cableaddict Rising Star

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Re: Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

 

Ruiz has looked a little dull in recent fights, but he's still WAY too good for Ike right now.

 

Even if Ike could somehow pull off a BHop, he first needs to learn some new tactics. It's not just a case of massive ring-rust: He has to learn how to fight like an older guy, conserving energy and thinking more defensively as well.

 

- This is something he's never done at all, so there is no muscle memory for it.

You can't go into a fight having to THINK about such things, it has to be practiced enough that it's automatic.

 

 

Hope this matchup is just a silly rumor.

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WelshDevilRob Proficient

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Re: Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

 

Doesn't sound like Andy Ruiz is definite but it will be a Top 15 opponent, which could mean anything given all the organisations. Maybe 'Bronce' Billy Wright will get a name opponent after being shamelessly ducked by Wilder and the other contenders?

 

Latest from Michael Koncz

"Manny insisted that Ike be on the card," Michael Koncz, adviser to both Pacquiao and now Ibeabuchi informed BoxingScene.com of the decision to have him on the show. "He signed with MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions (who along with Top Rank serves as co-promoter of the April 9 event) with the intention of making a big splash right away. He's not interested in a tune-up; we're looking for a Top 15-ranked heavyweight for his first fight back."

 

"He was the best young heavyweight of his time and from where we sit, he can still bring that level of excitement to a division that can always use it," notes Koncz. "Looking at the sport's top level, Floyd Mayweather retired last year and - with his Senate run coming up - this could very well be it for Manny after April 9.

 

"The sport needs someone exciting to fill that void at the top. We honestly believe Ike Ibeabuchi can be the one to do it."

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gavpowell Newbie

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Re: Ike Ibeabuchi is out of prison - What next?

 

What a ridiculous idea and in fact should be stopped by the local commissioners.

Equally ridiculous is the number of fans who have turned into fantastists: "Great, the mentally unstable ex-con is back in the ring after 17 years - he should be able to pick up where he left off"

 

Anyone supporting his return should remember it the next time we get an Abdusalamov.

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