Ike Ibeabuchi turned down an offer to fight Michael Grant in a WBC title eliminator. As a replacement, Andrew Golota was summoned to take on Grant but got TKO'd in the 10th round. Just as Lennox Lewis becomes undisputed champion, he turns down an offer to fight mandatory challenger John Ruiz, giving the Quietman a fight against Evander Holyfield (which Lewis had just beat for undisputed) for the WBA title, and instead fights the undefeated Michael Grant. But what if Ike accepted the Grant offer, beat him (which I think he would've done via late stoppage - similar to the Byrd fight) and then went on to fight Lennox Lewis for the unified heavyweight championship? Tale of the tape THE PRESIDENT IKE IBEABUCHI 245 lbs 6'2 Def. David Tua and Chris Byrd 20-0 (15 KO's) V. THE LION LENNOX LEWIS 250 lbs 6'5 Def. Evander Holyfield, Ray Mercer, Tommy Morrison, Frank Bruno, Donovan Ruddock and Tyrell Biggs 35-1-1 (28 KO's)
Even closer fight than Lewis vs Mercer since Ike is better than Mercer, maybe they rob Ike but in triology anything is possible.
I think Lewis would realize how dangerous Ike is and simply box like he did vs Tua. Jab jab, ocassional cross, move. Ike would land some great shots but i think Lewis would land with enough authority to make Ike reluctant to come in. Its hard to favour a non ATG over an ATG even though the non ATG has all the tools to beat the ATG. It wouldn't shock me to see Ike win but neither of his best wins are stylistically like Lewis. Hard to favour Ike here. Lewis UD 12, 8-4.
