Ike Ibeabuchi Marks Sensational Return With Third-Round Stoppage After 26 Years

Nigerian heavyweight, Ike “The President” Ibeabuchi has made an extraordinary return to boxing, ending a 26-year absence from the sport with a third-round stoppage victory over Idris Afinni at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The 52-year-old, once regarded as one of the most feared punchers of the 1990s, showed flashes of the devastating power that defined his career, forcing Afinni to retire after the third round.

The victory extended Ibeabuchi’s professional record to 21 wins, no losses, with 16 coming by way of knockout.

Ibeabuchi last fought in March 1999 when he stopped Chris Byrd, a win that had put him on the path toward a world title shot before his career was derailed by legal troubles and a lengthy prison sentence in the United States. His comeback had originally been scheduled against British veteran Danny Williams, but Williams pulled out citing health concerns, paving the way for Afinni to step in as a late replacement.

In the build-up to the fight, both men had boldly predicted third-round finishes. Ibeabuchi, who insisted his long layoff had not diminished his strength or determination, proved true to his word as he pressed forward with relentless aggression until Afinni could no longer continue.

For fans at the packed Lagos venue, the bout was more than just a contest; it was the homecoming of a fighter once touted as Nigeria’s next great heavyweight hope. After the win, Ibeabuchi spoke of his ambition to take on elite names in the division, including current champions and rising stars.

His return has rekindled debate in the boxing world about whether, at 52, he can still mount a serious campaign at the top level.

Yet for now, Ibeabuchi’s victory stands as a remarkable chapter in the sport — a comeback few thought possible, sealed with the kind of knockout power that once made him a force to be feared.