Ike Ibeabuchi returns to boxing at 52 in Lagos, targets Usyk

Ike Ibeabuchi, the former heavyweight contender known as The President, returned to professional boxing at age 52 in Lagos, Nigeria, winning a three-round contest after his opponent, Idris Afinni, retired on his stool. The comeback, staged at Teslim Balogun Stadium, marked Ibeabuchi’s first ring appearance since 1999 and immediately positioned him in the public eye as he expressed interest in chasing historic milestones and bigger names, including Oleksandr Usyk.

The bout, initially set for a 12-round encounter, unfolded quickly when Afinni—himself a regional cruiserweight champion who also boxes at heavyweight—retired after three rounds. Ibeabuchi, who weighed in around 210 pounds, pressed the action with his trademark power, while Afinni offered a tactical defensive approach and limited offense. The win kept Ibeabuchi undefeated in his comeback, though it arrived in a context many attendees acknowledged was as much about symbolism as sporting result. The promoters distributed the fight as a major national event, with streaming arranged through a pay-per-view platform and an emphasis on delivering real competition rather than a ceremonial exhibition.