Ike Ibeabuchi vs David Tua for the WBC International heavyweight title over 12 rounds

Date: June 7, 1997

Venue: ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California

Ibeabuchi stance: orthodox

Tua stance: orthodox

Ike Ibeabuchi had an almost perfect physique for a 20th century heavyweight. He was 6'2", and around 230-235lb. He was muscular without looking like a body builder - in other words he was physically suited to boxing. He was the same age as Tua (both were 24 at the time), and this was his first big test. With a record of 16-0 with 12 KOs, Ibeabuchi was considered a talented, but untested, prospect. This was the first time he would enter the ring as the underdog.

David Tua was a stocky heavyweight, at just 5'10", and for this bout he weighed in at around 225lb, which was probably optimum for his frame. While Tua had a habit of ballooning in weight later in his career, he was in excellent condition for this fight. Tua had won the WBC International title in his 23rd contest when he stopped future WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz in under 20 seconds. He had already defended that WBC title four times. One win avenged his 1992 Olympics semi final loss to David Izon. In his most recent defence, he stopped future WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev in 11 rounds.

What followed was some of the most brutal, non stop action in a heavyweight fight. Individual and combined records were set for most punches thrown and landed.

For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:

Ike Ibeabuchi - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/5981

David Tua - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/004343