Boxing: Ibeabuchi Suffers First Career Defeat In Lagos

Kabiru “KB Godson” Towolawi defeated Ike “The President” Ibeabuchi by unanimous decision after 12 rounds in a heavyweight professional bout on Christmas Eve at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The contest, sanctioned by the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, saw Towolawi dominate across the scorecards with a composed, disciplined display that earned him one of the most significant victories of his career.

The win marked the first professional defeat for the 53-year-old Ibeabuchi, who had entered the bout with an unbeaten record of 21 wins, including 16 knockouts.

Fighting before a lively Lagos crowd, the 45-year-old Towolawi relied on endurance and ring craft to control the bout from start to finish, neutralising Ibeabuchi’s power and closing out the fight convincingly over the championship distance.

The result represents a major setback for Ibeabuchi’s renewed push towards a world title shot, having spent years in prison, which hindered his progress during his prime years.

Towolawi, whose professional record now stands at 28 wins and 16 losses with 22 knockouts, had promised before the fight to avenge his friend Idris Afinni, whom Ibeabuchi stopped in three rounds in August.

The veteran cruiserweight, who has been active since turning professional in October 2016, recorded notable victories over Ademola Faniyi and Sule Usman earlier in 2025.