Ike Ibeabuchi has announced on social media that he and Danny Williams have signed a contract to fight each other on or before July 5, 2025. Ibeabuchi, 52, has not fought since stopping Chris Byrd in five rounds 26 years ago. That March 1999 encounter came one month before Williams, now 51, was outpointed by Julius Francis in an unsuccessful bid for the British heavyweight title.
Ibeabuchi also posted a photograph of the contract and rarely has a collection of words, signatures, and numbers made such grim reading. The document reads: ‘The parties hereto have executed this Bout Agreement as of the dates set forth below, the latter of which will be the effective date.’ Underneath the name of Ikemefula Charles Ibeabuchi is his signature dated May 27, 2025, while the signature Williams is dated May 26. The third signature on the document appears to belong to Chad Racker, the ‘director’ of Prizefighting Promotions LLC.
“Ready Fight Contract, between I and Danny Williams, valid until July 5, 2025,” read the Ibeabuchi post on X to accompany the image of the contract.
Ibeabuchi, who was imprisoned in July 1999 for sexual misconduct, was supposed to make a comeback in December last year but the contest fell through. Ibeabuchi, 20-0 (15 KOs), has voiced his desire to challenge for the world heavyweight title and has called out Daniel Dubois.
Williams’ form has been in freefall since he outhustled John McDermott over 12 rounds to retain his British heavyweight title in May 2009. After losing to Derek Chisora the following year, Williams said he was “shot” and would never fight again. He’s lost 26 times since then, predominantly to nondescript opposition. His record currently stands at 55-33 (42 KOs).