Lagos agog as Ibeabuchi, Afinni face-off in Heavyweight showdown

 

Lagos fans will on Saturday, 23rd August witness a thrilling boxing bout between Nigerian-born heavyweight boxer, Ike ‘The President’ Ibeabuchi, who is making his return to the ring, after 26 years of inactivity as a boxer, and Nigerian boxer Idris Afinni in a 12-round fight at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Ibeabuchi was originally scheduled to face British veteran Danny Williams who bowed out of the fight due to an injury, and Afinni was drafted in as a new opponent for his long-awaited comeback fight in Lagos.

The fight, which has also received official sanction from the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), will be live on Prizefighting.tv.

The fight is proudly supported by the Nollywood actor and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Desmond Elliot. 

Ibeabuchi, 52-year-old, is going to the fight with an impressive record of 20 fights, 20 wins, with 15 of those victories coming by the way of knockout while Afinni, a 40-year-old professional boxer, will be banking on a career record of 17 wins, seven losses, and two draws.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos ahead of the bout, Ibeabuchi, a former WBC International Heavyweight Champions said he will use the bout to revive his boxing career as he believes he still has what it takes to fight in the Heavyweight categories.

“This is where I started my career from, and I am glad to show my own country what I am made off. I am undefeated. Apart from the little setback, off course, I was born in boxing, and I will show that on the 23rd. The long break is nothing to worry about; I have trained, and I’m prepared to prove it on Saturday. I should be able to be done with him and knock him out in round three. So, I’m ready to be back in boxing and continue where I left off,” Ibeabuchi said

Responding, Afinni said he prepared for the fight: “This is a greatest opportunity for me as a boxer- before I throw-in the towel- to be on the same ring with the person I regarded as an idol and one of the best boxers in Nigeria. I will never allow this opportunity to pass me by. Although, I am prepared for 12-round bout but I’m going to beat him in the third round. This fight will make the world to know me, and I am going to give my best on the night. This fight means everything to me, and I am 300 percent prepared for the fight.”

The convener of the bout and a leading promoter with Prizefighting.tv, Miyen Akiri, said they are ready to stage a biggest boxing fight in the history of Nigeria.

He added that the two boxers are in top shape, and they are ready to give their best on Saturday as he called on Lagos fans and Nigerians at large to come and enjoy the bout.