Ibeabuchi enters into plea bargain

Kim Smith

Friday, Nov. 9, 2001 | 11:29 a.m.

Former heavyweight boxer Ikemefula "Ike" Ibeabuchi may one day fight again after entering a plea agreement with prosecutors in his sexual assault case Thursday.

Ibeabuchi, 29, pleaded the equivalent of "no contest" to battery with intent to commit a crime and attempted sexual assault in connection with an incident with an outcall dancer at a Strip motel in July 1999.

As a result of the plea agreement, District Judge Joseph Bonaventure must give Ibeabuchi a sentence of five to 30 years on Dec. 27.

According to police, Ibeabuchi lured a 21-year-old outcall service employee to his motel room in July 1999, but wouldn't pay the $150 fee for an erotic dance. He then allegedly began to sexually assault her, stopping when her screams drew the attention of a hotel security guard.

Ibeabuchi was charged with kidnapping, assault and battery and multiple sexual assault counts.

The Nigerian native was on the verge of getting a heavyweight title fight when he was arrested. He was undefeated at 20-0 with 15 knockouts and had been ranked No. 2 by the IBF.

The boxer has spent most of the last two years in a Sparks mental health facility because, at times, doctors ruled he was incompetent and unable to stand trial. He was declared competent in July and his trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Deputy Public Defenders Catherine Woolf and Jeff Banks called the resolution fair.

"The plea agreement will ensure Ike is going to have some quality of life when he gets out and it may be possible for him to fight again," Banks said. "To roll the dice with the possibility of consecutive life sentences was not in his best interest."

Although Ibeabuchi's career was a consideration, it was secondary, Banks said.

"I'd rather see him not box and get out of custody in a few years than not box and get out of custody when he is 55," Banks said.

Woolf said the fact that prosecutors Mary Kay Holthus and Christopher Lalli intended to present evidence that Ibeabuchi is accused of similar incidents here in Las Vegas and in Gilbert, Ariz., was also a concern.

No charges have been filed in the local case and the Arizona case is still pending.

Woolf said that although Ibeabuchi clearly has mental problems, the insanity defense was not an option.

When clients use such a defense, they concede they committed the act, but as a result of mental illness, Woolf said. Ibeabuchi will concede no such thing.