Ibekwe and Vickers can steal the show!

Simon Ibekwe…tough test in Cannock. Picture: Inga Zulyte

THOSE who like raw heavyweight action look in for a treat on Scott Murray’s Saturday night show in Cannock.

I’ve written about the quality main event between Ashlee Eales and Irishman Daniel O’Sullivan, an Irish light-middle tipped for big things.

But the six rounders between Simon Ibekwe, Redditch’s forgotten man of the heavyweight mix, and Ben Vickers could steal the show.

It’s a late addition to the nine bout bill, but worth the wait. This is a surprisingly tough test for Ibekwe, unbeaten in six and guided by Brighton’s former champ Scott Welch.

Vickers, from Battersea, has won three, lost three and drawn two. When you look at the men Vickers has faced, those 50/50 stats become more impressive.

Last time out he drew with Rhasian Earlington who entered the ring with only one loss in eight. He took Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lewis Williams the full distance.

Vickers has been matched tough.

Ibekwe is unbeaten in seven and is returning to the venue where he last fought. In September, the 30-year-old blasted out Milos Veletic. Vickers will provide stiffer resistance.

When he “turned over” in 2023, Ibekwe told me: “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.”

Last year he insisted: “I believe the timing is good and I trust the process. I want to be a bit more active, but I do know it will happen. Those inside boxing know me, those outside it don’t, but it will happen.”

Now is the time to make it happen.