Ibeabuchi eyes Foreman’s record in December bout

Nigerian heavyweight veteran Ike Ibeabuchi will return to the ring on December 24 in Lagos, where he will fight for the World Boxing Bureau Heavyweight Championship with an eye on breaking George Foreman’s age record.

A victory in the highly anticipated showdown at the Teslim Balogun Stadium would place the 52-year-old on course to become the oldest man to win a recognised heavyweight title, surpassing Foreman, who set the record at 45 in 1994.

The WBB, a global boxing body that has been in existence for 26 years, has officially sanctioned the Lagos contest, which will stream on Prizefighting.tv.

Ibeabuchi will face Kabiru Towolawi in a 12-round main event on a packed fight card promoted by Prizefighting.tv.

Promoter Miyen Akiri said the Lagos show is set up to give the former world-rated boxer a clear pathway in his comeback.

He noted that victory in December would put Ibeabuchi “in a position to fight Oleksandr Usyk, the Ring Heavyweight Champion,” adding that the team simply wants “a fair, well-organised fight night that marks the next stage of his comeback.”

Ibeabuchi has also spoken openly about his ambitions, saying, “The fire for me to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world is burning hot within me. I will knock Usyk out just like George Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer.”

The unbeaten fighter was one of the most feared heavyweights of the late 1990s and carries a professional record of 21 wins (16 KOs) without defeat. His rise included standout victories over David Tua and Chris Byrd before a long break from boxing.

He made a successful return in August 2025 in Lagos, stopping Idris Afinni in three rounds.

After that victory, Ibeabuchi called out Usyk, declaring, “Now, I want to fight Usyk. I am 21-0, with 16 knockouts, why can’t I fight him? If he wants me to fight more, I will fight more. I love fighting, but I want him before time elapses.”

Nigerian Boxing Board of Control General Secretary Remi Aboderin had defended the decision to sanction bouts featuring the 52-year-old Ibeabuchi.

“If the international world could sanction a Mike Tyson of 58 years of age to box against a Jake Paul of 27 years, nothing except medicals should stop us from sanctioning Ibeabuchi to fight.”

The December event will feature a full undercard showcasing several Nigerian fighters, including a cruiserweight bout between Sunday Abudu and Idris Afinni, and a heavyweight contest between Kazeem Samson and an opponent to be announced.

Akiri said the aim of the show is to “build a strong night of local talent” while keeping attention on Ibeabuchi’s shot at history.