Ibekwe’s debut looks one not to be missed

Simon Ibekwe…may feature in fight of the night at East Side Rooms

THERE’S a potential cracker on new promoter Anthony Manning’s show at Birmingham’s East Side Rooms on Friday, June 23.

The show, dubbed “Nxt Gen”, essentially showcases the new talent at former pro Manning’s plush gym. And he’s pushed the boat out for the event, with huge billboards advertising the bill being displayed in Birmingham city centre.

For me, there’s a stand-out.

Trainer Malcolm Melvin’s new heavyweight Simon Ibekwe makes his paid debut against Nottingham’s Lamah Griggs.

Debuts are usually “givens”. This one is not.

And, in an age when newcomers are fed unambitious journeymen, I applaud Ibekwe, Melvin and Manning for selecting a “live” opponent.

That is the way it should be. That’s the way apprentices learn. It shows faith in a fighter.

Griggs, aged 31, may have a patchy 3-6-1 record, but he’s in the best form of his short career. I watched him fight hulking Hosea Stewart, a man mountain who scaled 24 stone, at Planet Ice, Solihull, earlier this month.

Despite being dwarfed by his opponent, Griggs moved well, worked the body, showed heart and earned a draw. I thought he nicked it.

Griggs did look fleshy at 17st 12lbs, however. He, too, felt the pace.

 Ibekwe hails from north London, but moved to Redditch with his partner in 2020.

The 27-year-old has received top class sparring. He’s shared the ring with English champ Solomon Dacres among other top heavies.

And Ibekwe, who, by day, provides pastoral care at a special needs school, certainly has the amateur pedigree to do well.

After moving to the West Midlands, he 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, who aims to be around 17 stone on fight night, said: “It felt like turning pro was the best shot for me, the right time for me. I’d found a good coach in Malcolm and I think my style is more a pro style. There’s no time like the present. The pros are more about thinking and setting traps, that’s what I’ve been learning.

“I feel I’ve got the skills and the skills and footwork I’ve got is unusual for a heavyweight. There’s also power and unconventional shots. I feel I can go English, British level, definitely. I feel I can get as far as I want to achieve.”

The father-of-one appears to have adapted well to the pro regime – and praised trainer Melvin’s input.

“As a fighter, it’s good to feel uncomfortable, to have someone pushing you. There will be nerves on my debut, but in boxing there are good nerves and bad nerves.”

Everyone loves a heavyweight scrap. Friday night provides something even better – a 50-50 heavyweight scrap.

It’s definitely one for the fans.