PACQUIAO ADVISER KONCZ CLAIMS MANNY INSISTED THAT IBEABUCHI BE ON THE BRADLEY III CARD
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 04 Jan 2016
Ibeabuchi.
Manny Pacquiao?s adviser Michael Koncz who was recently hired by undefeated heavyweight Ike ?The President? Ibeabuchi, has claimed that Pacquiao insisted that the former Nigerian, who is 43 years old, be on the fight card when he faces Timothy ?Desert Storm? Bradley for the third time in Las Vegas on April 9.
Koncz has no plans of providing Ibeabuci, who has a record of 20-0 with 15 knockouts, a tune-up fight and intends to put him in against a top 15 heavyweight contender in his return to the ring after 17 years.
Boxing Scene quoted Koncz who claimed "Manny insisted that Ike be on the card," Koncz who serves as adviser to both Pacquiao and now Ibeabuchi informed BoxingScene.com of the April 9 card, stating "He (Ibeabuchi) signed with MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions (who along with Top Rank serves as co-promoter of the April 9 event) with the intention of making a big splash right away. He's not interested in a tune-up; we're looking for a Top 15-ranked heavyweight for his first fight back."
Ibeabuchi made a big impression in a war with previously unbeaten heavy puncher David Tua in June 1997 and is best known for what was regarded as a highlight reel 5th round knockout of Chris Byrd in March 1999 with a vicious left hook and although Byrd beat the count he was soon sent crashing to the canvas.
Ibeabuchi had several brushes with the law and in 1999 was charged with sexual assault of an exotic dancer at a Las Vegas hotel room and was sentenced to 20 years in prison before he was released in February last year but was only released from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities last November.
Koncz says Ibeabuchi was the best young heavyweight of his time and added ?from where we sit he can still bring that level of excitement for a division that can always use it.?
Koncz maintains ?the sport needs someone exciting to fill the void at the top. We honestly believe Ike Ibeabuchi cam be the one to do it.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: It´s Fightweek Fight: Canelo vs. Crawford
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Casimero comeback next month in Kyrgyzstan?
By Nick Giongco, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Team USA Concludes Day Six of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Andrade, Garras rule Milo marathon in Tagum
Wed, 10 Sep 2025CROCKER-DONOVAN II: INSIDE LOOK AT FIRST FACE-OFF IN BELFAST
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Former Panamanian WBA champ Jorge Lujan hospitalized
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Southern Sports Heroes Night on Sept. 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025ABAP feels WB’s growing pains
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Laurente is new Philippine super featherweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025