Ike Ibeabuchi Update

By Michael Woods

Ike Ibeabuchi hasn't been in the heavyweight picture since Clinton was messing up Lewinsky's dress…but he's rested and apparently ready to rock and roll and rumble.

The Nigerian was on the cusp of being prominently in the picture, getting a crack at the all-stars of the day, when he imploded. Ike melted down, assaulted a lady, and got sent to prison.

He was released last month and Michael Koncz, advisor to Congressman Manny Pacquiao, believes he can make another run in the division.

He wants or wanted to place the fighter who used to be promoted by the late Cedric Kushner, and who last battled in 1999, on the April 9 Pacquiao/Bradley undercard.

But promoter Bob Arum told writer Mike Coppinger today in NYC that ain't happening.

Coppinger said Arum told him he thinks Ike (20-0, 15 KOs) will be deported.

Koncz, what do you know of this?

“Bob does not know or have all the facts so it is beyond me why he would make such statement,” Koncz told NYFIGHTS. “Arum is not the only promoter in boxing that we can work with.”

Koncz said he's comfortable that Ibeabuchi is mentally well, fit to fight. “If not in April, then soon thereafter,” Koncz said.

My take: At 42, the odds are stacked against the man. I simply hope he is well, will walk the right path and if he can get his body into fighting shape, then hey, who knows. Stranger things have happened, I guess, in this realm where the unexpected is expected.