The comeback of nineties heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi, which has been rumored for the last 12 months, is now scheduled for August 23 against Danny Williams in Lagos, Nigeria. BoxingScene originally reported that a contract between the pair had been signed with an agreement in place to fight before July 5.
Ibeabuchi, 52, has not fought since he stopped Chris Byrd in five rounds in March 1999. He was imprisoned shortly thereafter for sexual misconduct.
Williams, also 52, has lost 26 times since vowing to quit following a two-round hammering dished out by an up-and-coming Derek Chisora in 2010.
The Londoner, who is best known for defeating a fading Mike Tyson in 2004, used to insist he continued to fight to put his children through private school. Several close to Williams, who was told by the British Boxing Board of Control in 2012 that any efforts to reclaim his boxing licence would be denied, have long feared for his mental health.
Prizefighting TV, a fledgling streaming business, seemingly plan to broadcast the contest on their website (www.prizefighting.tv) at a cost to the consumer of $29.99. According to that site’s marketing imagery, the bout will be sanctioned by the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, a commission established in 1947.
The website also offers footage of Ibeabuchi, 20-0 (15 KOs), beating Byrd 26 years ago and Williams, 55-33 (42 KOs), halting Tyson 21 years ago as further endorsements of what promises to be a grim spectacle.
