THIS is British boxing’s age of the big men, with the heavyweight division packed to the rafters.
And the Midlands glistens with prospects – hopefuls jostling for major opportunities and major TV slots.
Olympian Delicious Orie predictably won his debut last weekend. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lewis Williams is two fights into his journey. Big Joe Bourne has just started his pro adventure.
Add to the mix Solomon Dacres, who has already established himself on the domestic scene, thunderous punching Matty Harris and Boma Brown.
But in the melee, one hope, plying his trade on the small hall circuit, has become near forgotten. The others are making headlines under bright lights – Simon Ibekwe is learning his craft in the shadows.
Yet the 29-year-old from Bromsgrove has peeled off four straight wins – two by stoppage – and sparred the country’s best, including Anthony Joshua.
Raised in north London, he had a solid rather than spectacular amateur stint. After moving to the West Midlands, Ibekwe won the Midlands championships with Redditch’s Studio ABC.
In a 22-bout unpaid career, he also gained the East Mids Cup and London titles.
Ibekwe, managed by Birmingham’s Anthony Manning, does not curse the national press coverage enjoyed by others in the heavyweight pack – he wishes them luck.
Simon is quietly getting on with the job free from the pressure that comes with mass media attention.
“I’m a man of faith,” he said. “I believe the timing is good and I trust the process. I want to be a bit more active, but I do know it will happen. Those inside boxing know me, those outside it don’t, but it will happen.”
Ibekwe last fought in October on a Manning show and gained an entertaining six round decision over Phil Williams.
“I think I showed a different side,” he said of the scrap. “I was boxing more instead of just going for it, it was a lot more technical, but, looking back, I should’ve got him out of there.
“I was in the AJ camp before that – it’s a great confidence boost, but at the same time I’m not going to be fighting someone of AJ’s calibre at this stage in my career.”
Understandably, the sessions were geared to benefitting Joshua, not his sparring partners.
“I’ve got a few personal things to sort out, then I want to fight again as soon as possible,” Ibekwe said.
“I’ll go as far as I can with the right backing – I’ve shared the ring with the top 10 heavyweights in sparring and held my own.
“My engine is good, I can adapt to different styles. Phil Williams didn’t really want to engage and when you have someone who wants to survive it’s a bit more difficult. When you are in there with a higher operator you can turn it up, calm it down.”
Ibekwe added: “I won’t call out names, but there are domestic fights I’d like. I’d also like to push on to world level and box in different countries.”
For now, Ibekwe is serving his apprenticeship in Birmingham – the world can wait a little longer.
