Kingsley Ikeke

In the ring magazine a couple of years ago(2005), a journalist speculated oin the future of the Middleweight division and it's top prospects. The article was focused on one man. Kingsley Ikeke.

At 6'4" Ikeke was a freakishly tall Middleweight. His reach allowed him to work behind a poll-like jabe and he won 23 contests, generating 13 ko's with his long frame. An almost Paul Williams like figure Ikeke was well respected and this article created a lot of interest in the Nigerian.

Shortly after the European publication of the article and this article Ikeke was demolished by current Middleweight Champion Arthur Abraham. In 5 brutally one sided rounds, Abraham destroyed Kingsley with constant pressure and power punching. Ikekes return to the ring at Super Middleweight was equally frustrating, as he lost a 12 round unanimous decision to Jean Pascal. (nearly a year after his loss to Abraham.)

Nearly another year later, Ikeke is scheduled for a return against Lafarrell Bunteng. It is sad how Kingsley fell so quickly, his confidence evidently shattered.
He fights April 12trh on a night stacked with boxing.
Give him a look.
Kingsley Ikeke

I remember the Hype when he first came into the ranks...he started off with a blast....If you notice though it seems this way with all the African fighters through out the last 30 or so years...they cause a big stir then fade away or die down after a loss or two...Mugabi, was the one I remember most....Even Ouma has faded off pretty much....IMO Sam Peter gets KO'd in a bad fashion he will do the same....Azuma Nelson was the only one to not fall to this mind set....Ike Quartey never fell to the mindset of it either but took time off out of sheer frustration of being screwed

I agree Daxx, I like those fighters thouh, many of them fight with pure heart

I think with Ikeke it was the lack of mentality I just don't think he was fully there. The way Arthur had his way with Ikeke was just very puzzling to me. Especially after seeing him fight leading up to the Arthur fight....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

I remember the Hype when he first came into the ranks...he started off with a blast....If you notice though it seems this way with all the African fighters through out the last 30 or so years...they cause a big stir then fade away or die down after a loss or two...Mugabi, was the one I remember most....Even Ouma has faded off pretty much....IMO Sam Peter gets KO'd in a bad fashion he will do the same....Azuma Nelson was the only one to not fall to this mind set....Ike Quartey never fell to the mindset of it either but took time off out of sheer frustration of being screwed

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I know it's further back but you also got Dick Tiger.
More recent theres Thulani Malinga, Ayub Kalule also did well.

Same thing happened to Paul Williams, Nicolai Valuev, and will eventually happen to Aaron Pryor Jr.

These guys are freaking tall but they don't fight tall and they aren't strong. Short stocky fighters like Joe Greene are able to do just as good because it's easy to fight short