2<\/p>\n Ibeabuchi was a serious contender at his peak, but he is now 52Credit: Getty<\/p>\n However, his dream was emded in July 1999 when he was arrested for taking a Las Vegas call girl hostage in his hotel room.<\/a><\/p>\n The incident occurred just four months after Ibeabuchi’s career-best knockout win over the previously unbeaten Byrd. <\/p>\n Ibeabuchi trapped the woman in a closet and barricaded himself in the bathroom before eventually surrendering to police when they discharged pepper spray under the door.<\/p>\n He served 16 years in prison for battery with intent, attempted sexual assault and violating parole conditions.<\/p>\n Ibeabuchi was deported back to Nigeria in 2021, where he began to make inroads towards a boxing comeback.<\/p>\n Several attempts fell by the wayside before he eventually landed a fight<\/a> with fellow countryman Idris Afinni (18-9-2) at Lagos’ Teslim Balogun Stadium.<\/p>\n For three rounds, Ibeabuchi walked down his tentative foe with clubbing blows.<\/p>\n Afinni threw almost nothing but a jab for the entire fight, while Ibeacbuchi winged wild shots over the top. <\/p>\n At the end of the third frame, after being rocked by a couple of punches, Afinni retired on his stool, handing Ibeabuchi the long-awaited taste of victory.<\/p>\n Keen to make up for lost time after nearly three decades on the sidelines, Ibeabuchi took the opportunity to call out reigning undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk<\/a> in the immediate aftermath.<\/p>\n![\"Ibeabuchi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ac2276f9-be14-4fb6-8c9c-c1c65678d983.jpg\")
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