Ibekwe is one fight away from title shot

Simon Ibekwe…toughest test to date at London’s York Hall this month

HEAVYWEIGHT hope Simon Ibekwe is one fight away from a title shot – but that fight is the toughest of his career to date.

On January 31, at York Hall, Bethnal Green, Ibekwe faces Jonathan Palata in his first eight rounder.

The winner has been promised a title fight, former British heavyweight champ Scott Welch, who now handles the Redditch’s undefeated prospect, told me. Film buffs will remember Scott knocking Brad Pitt into the air in Guy Ritchie’s bare-knuckle movie Snatch.

This will be Ibekwe’s third fight for Scott – and it’s the big one. Win this and doors open for the 29-year-old, unbeaten in six.

Palata, from Sydenham, has lost only one of nine and that came on points in an Ultimate Boxxer tournament. But he was inactive for six years before returning in November with a fourth round stoppage.

“He (Palata) is a very tough lad, but he’s not been that active,” said Welch. “He has not got what Simon has got. If Simon wins this he gets a decent title fight, that’s what Queensberry have told us.”

The Midlands currently glistens with heavyweight prospects – hopefuls jostling for major opportunities and major TV slots. But in the melee, Ibekwe has become near forgotten.

Raised in north London, he had a solid rather than spectacular amateur stint. After moving to the West Midlands, Ibekwe 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.

Welch refuses to go overboard about his boxer, but said: “He can be in the British title level club without a shadow of a doubt. He is as good as the lads there now.

“Everyone asks if a fighter can go all the way. The way I look at it, that depends on what they’re doing in their training and how determined they are to get there.

“On physique and strength, Simon’s at the top level, but there’s a lot more to it than that. He ticks the boxes on a lot of things, but nothing is guaranteed. I’m happy with where he is.

“You have to have belief – without belief you don’t have anything.”

And Welch is brim-full of belief about the Palata fight. “There is no reason on this earth why Simon can’t beat him,” he added.