"The President's Future?"  

By: Colby "The Cranium Crusher" Cali
 

“Ibeabuchi” is a Nigerian name meaning “no one is your God.” That seems to be the one prophecy Ike did fulfill. Although a devout Christian living by the motto “God first,” it seems Ike has answered mainly to himself. The question on most boxing fans’ minds, however, is, Will he come at all close to fulfilling the next?” On February 2nd, 1973 Ikemefula Charles Ibeabuchi was born in Okigne, Imo State, Nigeria. A well-educated man, Ike was inspired to fight by one, James “Buster” Douglas. After the knockout in Tokyo, Ike figured “If he could do it, so can I.” He entered into the Nigerian Amateur ranks shortly thereafter. It seemed that Ike had a knack for the sport, and he was becoming more and more successful. He then decided to move to the capital of boxing, the

United States. After settling in Dallas, he fought under the famed former World Welterweight Champion, Curtis Cokes and later went on to win the Texas Golden Gloves Championship

Ike’s fame, however, came as a professional. Three years after turning pro in 1994, Ike compiled a record of 16-0-12 KO’s. He then was pitted against arguably the best chin and punch in the present Heavyweight division. This man was the short, bull-like Samoan, David Tua. In an epic slugfest, Ike threw nearly double the Heavyweight average in punches per round and went on to win a decision. This fight showed that not only did Ike have the power and will, but also he had a first-rate chin along with the stamina comparable to a mega marathon runner. Boxing fans were quickly learning that he was no pretender. If the triumph over Tua was not enough, Ike would later hush any critics after becoming the only man to stop one of the slickest fighters the division has known when he nearly deposited Chris Byrd’s head in the third row.

Now wait a second, something perfect in the world of boxing you say? Can it be? Of course not, I said BOXING, and the words “boxing and perfect” are about as oxymoronical as they come. While staying at The Mirage in Las Vegas, Ike brought a call girl up to his room. The call girl asked for the money before any action took place. Ike was supposedly offended by this action. So, he reacted by throwing her in a closet and raping her. When the police came, Ike, defining “grace under fire,” hid in the bathroom of the hotel suite. The cops were able to remove him, and, to shorten the story, he was sentenced to 5-30 years in jail.

In August of 2004, boxing fans were given hope when Ibeabuchi was up for parole. Sadly for the bleak Heavyweight division (and boxing fans alike), Ike was denied parole. Ike’s next chance for parole will come in December of 2007. He will be nearing the age of thirty-five at that point, and many would say it would be virtually impossible to shake off the ring rust, not to mention the supposed voices in his head and his unpredictable temperament. As a boxing fan, however, I become more and more discouraged when I see the state of the Heavyweights that I just cannot seem to give up hope. So let us analyze this situation.

People are writing Ike off saying he is too old, but is he? Most of the big men are excelling in their thirties now, and if Ike can get out next parole hearing he does still have the time. With that power, Ike has a significant advantage. Though we will never see what Ike really was able to accomplish for his stamina and speed have probably diminished greatly, every boxing fan knows that power is the last thing to go. Now if he does get out, say, in the next few years, there is another big problem people are overlooking. That problem is deportation. Rumor has it that when Ike gets out of jail he will be deported back to Nigeria, and they may not license him in the U.S., but I think every boxing fan out there would like to see any of the four beltholders test their mettle against a geriatric Ike, no matter what country in which the fight occurs.

All in all, what can we, the fans, gather from Ike “The President” Ibeabuchi. Well, call it foolishly deluded optimism, but I still think we should hang on to those few strands of hope. Though not likely, it is conceivable that he can make a relatively successful comeback and pick up a belt. The odds would definitely not be in his favor, but let us not forget where he is from, a place synonymous with Heavyweights defying logic. If he had to be reborn anywhere, wouldn’t Africa be a fitting spot? Ali, Rahman, ………. Ibeabuchi? Boxing fans, the best we can do at this juncture is hope, and as Morgan Freeman so eloquently put it, “Hope can drive a man insane.”
 



Questions or Comments? Please Contact Colby "The Cranium Crusher" Cali