Ibekwe is back after sparring with Joshua

Simon Ibekwe...fights at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, on Saturday

HEAVYWEIGHT hope Simon Ibekwe has certainly enjoyed top, top preparation for his next contest which takes place on Saturday night.

The Redditch fighter served as sparring partner for Anthony Joshua as the former world champ prepared for his epic with Daniel Dubois.

It’s back to grassroots for Ibekwe at the weekend when he looks for win number four on manager Anthony Manning’s show at Eastside Rooms, Birmingham. But he’ll take lessons learned from AJ into the ring for his first six rounder.

In the opposite corner will be Phil Williams, a veteran of over 60 bouts who has become a tried and tested yardstick for young talent. He’s a very hard man to budge.

“The AJ camp went really well,” said 28-year-old Ibekwe, “I took a lot from it. He gave me plenty of tips, even outside the ring, even when we were shadow boxing.

“One hundred per cent he’s a humble man, 100 per cent it increased my determination to be on the big stage.”

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

The pro journey has, to date, been a little frustrating, hindered by last minute cancellations that were not his fault or his manager’s. One contest even went south while Ibekwe was in the dressing room waiting to go on.

“I’d like to be more active,” he said. “It’s my second fight this year. I’d like to fight four or five times in a year.”

The Midlands Board had nominated Ibekwe to face big punching Matty Harris for the Midlands title, but he and those around him felt the chance came too soon. He withdrew.

“I’ve only had four rounders,” Ibekwe said. “It’s a big step to 10 rounders. I was thinking, ‘lets go’, but I spoke to a lot of people who said, ‘why the rush?’

That sensible. Ibekwe moves closer to the marathon distance on Saturday by taking part in a six rounder.

“I feel stopping him (Williams) will be a bit of a statement because he’s taken a lot of good names the distance,” said Ibekwe. “If I can do it, I’ll show what I’m about.

“I believe I’m one of the best prospects in the UK.”

Ibekwe has tasted the glitz and glamour of a Wembley fight night. It’s where he wants to be, but first he has to sparkle at Eastside Rooms.