Nigerian-born heavyweight boxer Kingsley Ibeh believes he is the perfect opponent for Anthony Joshua’s proposed fight in Nigeria.
Speculation has mounted that Joshua could look to stage a comeback fight in Africa, with Ghana and Nigeria potential locations.
Joshua has Nigerian heritage, and heavyweight contender Kingsley Ibeh was born in the country.
Now based in Arizona, Ibeh has a 16-2-1 record, with 14 stoppage victories. Since losing to top prospect Jared Anderson in 2021, Ibeh has been on a run of 11 consecutive wins.
Most recently, he knocked out former world title challenger Gerald Washington in three rounds.
He said, “We need the right platform and the right opponent to make a statement with, and there’d be no better one than AJ. That would definitely be a dream come true. That would be amazing.
“It doesn’t matter where it is; I’m ready. Anywhere. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the UK. I would love to dance with him in the O2 Arena.
I would definitely stop him, no questions about that; it’s going to come down to how soon or how quickly it goes.”
A cousin of heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi, Ibeh originally played American football in his athletic career.
His introduction to boxing came by chance when he was trying to sell life insurance to a coach at a gym. “The trainer said, ‘If you want to talk to me and earn my time, you’ve got to get in the ring and spar with one of my guys.’ I never backed down from a fight.”
Ibeh reflected. “I took my shirt off, put headgear on, and I went to work… I ended up knocking him out.
Ibeh’s message to Britain’s heavyweights:
He said, “I’m willing to come to their home, their backyard and entertain. I like AJ; he’s been my idol. (But) I have mean intentions. For the sport, I would love to give him the work and challenge that he’s looking for.”
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