I sparred with Ike on several occasions. My dad, Pete ,worked with him on days that Curtis Cokes wasn't able to make it from Dallas. The thing about Ike was that he didn't spar much before a fight. He would take his fights, hot, like a race horse. When he stepped in the ring he was ready to fight and never had sparring syndrome.

I don't want to write much to the public about his history because there are those out there that would get hurt. However, I spent enough time with him to know his heart. I remember when all his problems started and the day they started. As time progressed they got worse and to this day has never been found guilty of the crime he is paying right now. i have lost contact with him and I know that he was supposed to be up for parole in 2007. He didn't get pardoned. There is a lot more to this story.

In my opinion he was a true champ and he would have been tested with the klitschko's. But, i think he would have beaten them. He had a nutritionist, he had no problems coming to the gym and he was faithful to his coach. he was very coachable. He was always positive about life. They made him out to be a mad man which is what the media and the public loves.

He was beginning to experience top rank fighters having fought tua and byrd. He broke the worlds record in the most punches ever thrown in any pro fight counted. It has been broken since then though. Byrd was taking advantage of him with his quick hands but Ike finally caught him and ended the fight.

I don't think that the klitschko's would have been able to handle him by the time they got on the scene. he would have been seasoned by then. Yesterday was his birthday and I don't think he is getting any younger. He would probably make a good coach!! lol



Hi welcome too. Interesting stuff ,did you spar with him? whats the whole story what did you see that impressed you?
Also did you see him spit the dummy at all? You know like any sign of what was to come?

Cheers. [/QUOTE]